BENTONVILLE -- Don Paul Yates, 53, of Rogers pleaded not guilty today to capital murder, aggravated robbery and theft of property charges.
Yates is accused of killing Patrick Quinley, 58, of Rogers. Quinley's body was found Sept. 25 in his home at 53 W. Alton Circle by police officers after a co-worker reported Quinley hadn't been to work since Sept. 21.
Adam Craig with the Arkansas Crime Laboratory determined blunt force trauma to the head caused Quinley's death, according to court documents.
Quinley had filed a report with Rogers police earlier in September claiming Yates had taken his F-150 Ford pickup. He got the pickup and an iPhone X from Yates after Yates was arrested in Colorado, the affidavit said. Quinley had recently been in a relationship with Yates, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Yates is being held without bond in the Benton County Jail.
If convicted of capital murder, he could be sentenced to life in prison without the benefit of parole or the death penalty. He could be sentenced from 10 to 40 years or life in prison if convicted of aggravated robbery. The theft charge is punishable with three to 10 years.
NW News on 11/28/2018