BENTONVILLE — Two people were arrested in connection with a murder for hire plot to kill Circuit Judge Brad Karren.
Dorris Renee Jenkins, 36, of Springdale and Adan Taylor, 21, of Springdale are each being held on $1 million bond in the Benton County Jail. Jenkins was arrested Saturday in connection with conspiracy to commit capital murder and Taylor was arrested in connection with accessory to commit capital murder.
Jenkins was being held in the jail on May 31 when she asked a fellow inmate, who was a confidential informant, if she knew someone who would “take out a judge,” according to the affidavit.
Jenkins explained to the informant that she wanted Karren killed and agreed to meet up with the informant after being released from jail, according to court documents. The informant planned to introduce Jenkins to an undercover sheriff’s detective playing the role of the her brother, according to the affidavit.
The informant and undercover detective met with Jenkins and Taylor, Jenkins’ fiance, Saturday to discuss “the hit” and to hangout for the night, according to court documents. Detectives recorded the meeting.
Jenkins claimed that Karren had been arresting her family since 1977 and she feels he is unfair, according to the affidavit. Jenkins said she had a list of 15 people she wanted killed and the undercover deputy told her it was very expensive and Jenkins then cut the list down to two people, according to the affidavit.
The affidavit did not specify any other names on the list.
Jenkins asked the undercover detective to kill Karren for a tablet and sound bar, according to the affidavit. The tablet was at Jenkins’ home but the sound bar had been pawned and Jenkins did not know when she would be able to pay for it, according to the affidavit.
Taylor said he would get the sound bar out and get it to the undercover detective as payment, according to the affidavit.
Jenkins also offered an original print photograph of Marilyn Monroe valued at $25,000 as an additional payment for the hit, according to court documents.
Jenkins and Taylor appeared Monday in Circuit Judge Robin Green’s court for their bond hearings and the judge ordered neither to have any contact with Karren.
