BENTONVILLE -- Prosecutors will not seek the death penalty for a Siloam Springs man accused of the Christmas night 2014 murder of his father.
Ted Charles Meehan, 30, is charged with capital murder, which is punishable with life imprisonment without parole or a death sentence. Meehan pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Meehan appeared in court Thursday where Stuart Cearley, chief deputy prosecutor, announced the death penalty would not be sought.
Meehan is represented by Fayetteville attorney Erwin Davis.
Meehan's next court appearance is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. April 3.
Tim Meehan Sr., 55, was shot in his home at 15554 Airport Road, just east of Siloam Springs. He was found dead in his bedroom Dec. 26. He had a single gunshot to his head.
The coroner estimated the time of death at 8 p.m. Dec. 25. The body was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory where an autopsy determined the death was a homicide caused by a gunshot wound to the head, according to court documents.
Benton County Sheriff's Office detectives believe Ted Meehan was the only other person at the home when his father was killed.
Ted Meehan was interviewed several times by detectives, and he denied wanting to harm or kill his father. Meehan described a nightmare he had concerning his father and told a detective he worries every day and will be sent to "Hell," according to court documents.
Ted Meehan is being held in the Benton County Jail on a $500,000 bond.
NW News on 01/07/2017