FAYETTEVILLE -- A Tontitown man pleaded guilty to capital murder and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole Monday in Washington County Circuit Court.
Brock Alan Commo Atkins, 20, was charged with the stabbing death of Leann Frazier. Frazier was killed in the early morning hours of May 21, 2014, at Atkins' home.
Atkins looked significantly different standing before Circuit Judge Mark Lindsay on Monday with closely buzzed hair and wearing a gray stripped jail uniform rather than the bright orange hair he sported when arrested last year.
Atkins did not make a statement in court Monday.
Members of Frazier's family said outside the courtroom that Atkins never tried to apologize to them for Frazier's death.
"They can throw away the key as far as I'm concerned" said Marvin Stout, Frazier's older brother.
Frazier's mother, Joyce Ann Stout, read a victim impact statement before Atkins was formally sentenced. She wore a shirt that read "Mom of an Angel" and had a pin with Frazier's picture on it.
"I cry a tear for her every day," Stout said. She said Frazier's children live with her and they visit their mother's grave regularly.
Stout said she has to take medication daily, but knowing Atkins is behind bars for life is of some comfort.
"This guarantees he's going to die in prison. It doesn't bring her back, but it guarantees he doesn't breathe any more free air," said Prosecuting Attorney Matt Durrett. "It's a horrible deal and, in a situation like this, I don't think anything can compensate a family for their loss in this fashion."
Circuit Judge Mark Lindsay said the goal of the law is to make those who have suffered a loss whole again.
"The goal of our justice system is to try and put people back to where they were before," Lindsay told Stout. "This is one of those cases where the law cannot do that. I hope you get some closure with these proceedings."
Atkins was arrested shortly after Frazier's death. He first told police Frazier arrived at his house with two other men the morning of her death, according to an arrest report. She accused him of stealing methamphetamine and he denied the accusation, according to the report.
Atkins told police he killed Frazier after being threatened at gunpoint by another man who suspected Frazier of being a snitch.
Atkins told police Frazier fled, but he pursued, scratching her face and throwing a chunk of wood at her. Atkins said he tackled Frazier and stabbed her in the throat "until she stopped making any noises."
A second man, Lewis Anthony "Tony" Hedges Jr., 35, of Springdale, was named as a suspect and tracked down near Texarkana, Texas, where he had fled after the murder.
Hedges was brought back to Arkansas and initially was charged with being an accomplice to capital murder, but those charges were later dropped. Hedges still faces a charge of hindering apprehension and has a Nov. 17 court date pending.
NW News on 11/10/2015