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Thread: Zachary Avans Sentenced to 60 Years in 2021 AR Murder Of Bryon Blackmon

  1. #1
    Moderator Bobsicles's Avatar
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    Zachary Avans Sentenced to 60 Years in 2021 AR Murder Of Bryon Blackmon

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    Bella Vista man pleads not guilty of capital murder

    BENTONVILLE -- A Bella Vista man pleaded not guilty to capital murder and aggravated residential burglary in the shooting death of Bryon Keith Blackmon.
    Zachary Avans, 22, appeared in court Monday for his arraignment. An omnibus hearing is set for 8 a.m. Aug. 5.
    Blackmon, 30, was found shot April 27 on Northwest Fifth Street. He died at Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville.
    Shannon Schmidt told police he and Avans are friends, and he had been trying to help Avans obtain his identification, including his power of attorney to cash checks, according to the affidavit.
    Schmidt said Avans asked him to drive him April 27 to a Bentonville address to visit a friend about a stimulus check. Avans was having financial troubles after giving a friend power of attorney in order for the friend to collect bail money and get Avans out of jail, according to the affidavit.
    The friend obtained Avans' stimulus check, but failed to bail him out of jail, according to the affidavit.
    Schmidt said he drove Avans to Bentonville, and Avans asked him to drive around for a while and then come back to pick him up. Schmidt said he drove around the area and picked up Avans near Northwest B Street, according to the affidavit.
    Schmidt told police Avans burned the shirt he had been wearing in a fire pit when they returned to Schmidt's home, according to the affidavit.
    A neighbor of Blackmon's heard Blackmon yelling for help and found him lying in the street, according to the affidavit.
    Avans could be sentenced to life imprisonment or the death penalty if convicted of the murder charge. The burglary charge is punishable with a prison sentence ranging from 10 to 40 years or life imprisonment.
    Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green wanted to know whether prosecutors had reached a decision on the death penalty.
    "We've not made that decision yet judge," answered Joshua Robinson, deputy prosecutor.
    Avans is being held without bond in the Benton County Jail.

    https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2021/...ty-of-capital/
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  2. #2
    Administrator Helen's Avatar
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    Jury trial scheduled in Bentonville murder case

    By Tracy Neal
    The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

    BENTONVILLE -- Prosecutors are still weighing whether to seek the death penalty for a Bella Vista man accused of killing another man.

    Zachary Avans, 23, is charged with capital murder and aggravated residential burglary. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    Byron Keith Blackmon, 30, was found shot April 27 on Northwest Fifth Street in Bentonville. He died at Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville.

    Avans was in court Friday, and Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green set his jury trial to begin Sept. 20. She ordered attorneys to exchange witness lists 45 days before the trial.

    The judge asked Joshua Robinson, deputy prosecutor, about seeking the death penalty. He said the death penalty is still on the table.

    "At the moment I feel comfortable I know and I will not unnecessarily drag it out," Robinson said.

    Robinson said he will decide and tell Avans' attorneys when they have to exchange witness lists.

    Shannon Schmidt told police he and Avans are friends, according to the probable cause affidavit. Schmidt said Avans asked him to drive him April 27 to Bentonville to visit another friend. Schmidt said he drove Avans to Bentonville, and Avans asked him to drive around and then come back to pick him up. Schmidt said he picked up Avans near Northwest B Street, according to the affidavit.

    Schmidt told police Avans burned the shirt he had been wearing in a fire pit when they returned to Schmidt's home, according to the affidavit.

    A neighbor of Blackmon's heard Blackmon yelling for help and found him lying in the street, the affidavit states.

    Avans faces life imprisonment or the death penalty if convicted of the murder charge. The burglary charge is punishable with a prison sentence ranging from 10 to 40 years or life imprisonment.

    He is being held without bail in the Benton County Jail.

    https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/...e-murder-case/
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  3. #3
    Moderator Bobsicles's Avatar
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    Sentenced to 60 years for second degree murder on 9/19/2022

    https://apps.ark.org/inmate_info/sea...55348622a63502
    Thank you for the adventure - Axol

    Tried so hard and got so far, but in the end it doesn’t even matter - Linkin Park

    Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever. - Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt

    I’m going to the ghost McDonalds - Garcello

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