FORT SMITH -- A woman was sentenced to 40 years in prison for first-degree murder Thursday in Sebastian County Circuit Court.
Taylor Cynthia Elkins, 22, of Fort Smith pleaded guilty to the Class Y felony through an agreement with Prosecutor Dan Shue. Elkins appeared before Judge Stephen Tabor.
William Dubois Jr., 72, was beaten to death in July in his Fort Smith home, according to the prosecutor's report. Dubois' body was sent to the state Crime Lab for an autopsy, where it was determined he died from multiple blunt force injuries to the head. There were 27 impact sites, the report said.
Court documents said Elkins was found later with Dubois' vehicle and was taken to the Police Department.
Elkins reportedly gave inconsistent statements to police regarding her involvement in Dubois' death. In one statement, Elkins said she planned to rob Dubois, with her knocking on his door and someone else referred to as "Joe" going in to steal items. Two televisions from Dubois' home were placed in her vehicle and later pawned at a shop in Fort Smith.
Elkins' grandfather lived next door to Dubois and told police Elkins came to his home after leaving Dubois' home and said she "knocked him in the head."
Elkins also told another inmate at the Sebastian County jail she got angry while in Dubois' home because he told her he didn't have any money. The inmate said Elkins admitted using a hammer to attack Dubois, and afterward throwing it on the side of the road, the document said.
Elkins was charged with first-degree murder Oct. 9. She had been charged July 16 with hindering apprehension or prosecution and theft by receiving.
A probable-cause affidavit said police spoke with Elkins on July 11 in the 4400 block of Armour Avenue and she had a red 2013 Ford Focus belonging to Dubois.
Elkins originally said a man gave her the car, but later said it was given to her in exchange for sexual favors.
NW News on 01/17/2020