Trial delayed in Hill capital murder case

Samuel Robert Hill
Samuel Robert Hill

FAYETTEVILLE -- The case of a man charged with capital murder in the shooting death of his father last year was reset Monday to Feb. 1 in Washington County Circuit Court.

Samuel Robert Hill, 27, is accused of killing Allen Hill, 61, at the elder Hill's house on Whitehouse Road near Elkins on Aug. 20, 2014.

Hill's trial was set to begin Monday, but it will be delayed because not all the needed reports have been received, according to Prosecuting Attorney Matt Durrett.

Hill has pleaded not guilty to capital murder and aggravated assault on a family or household member. His attorney announced in late February his intent to pursue a defense of mental disease or defect. A mental exam at the Arkansas State Hospital found Hill is fit to stand trial.

According to the mental exam, Hill went to his parents' home and shot Allen Hill, left and returned a short time later and fired more shots into the house.

Allen Hill was shot multiple times in the chest, according to Kelly Cantrell, spokeswoman for the Washington County Sheriff 's Office. Hill died at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville.

Roberta Hill told police her son, Sam Hill, shot her husband during an argument at their home.

Sam Hill fled the scene and Fayetteville police arrested him about an hour later at his home.

He was treated at the hospital for a gunshot wound to his hip, which he received in the altercation with his father, according to an arrest report.

Hill is being held without bond at the Washington County Jail, which is typical in capital murder cases.

If convicted of capital murder, Hill faces life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. Durrett said prosecutors would not be seeking the death penalty.

NW News on 09/22/2015

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