An area woman accused in the shooting death of a 17-year-old girl during a birthday party has been found mentally competent to stand trial.
Dierks, who lives in the Wallace community, was charged with killing Caitlin Caskey, a junior at Foreman High School, with an AR-15 rifle on Jan. 23.
The second-degree murder charge carries a potential sentence of six to 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $15,000, if convicted.
During circuit court proceedings Tuesday in Ashdown, 9th Judicial District Circuit Judge Charles Yeargan reviewed the evaluation, which states Dierks is mentally competent to help her attorney Mickey Buchanan provide a defense.
"The mental evaluation said she (Dierks) understands the basic facts and allegations against her," Buchanan said.
The mental evaluation was conducted at the UAMS hospital in Little Rock, he said.
Yeargan rescheduled jury selection to begin Oct. 17. The trial will begin Oct. 19 or 20.
The shooting was reported at 9:21 p.m. Jan. 23, in Dierks' residence at 2810 Highway 32 West between Ashdown and Foreman, Ark. Dierks was hosting a birthday party for her 16-year-old daughter.
The arrest affidavit said Dierks was reportedly serving gummy bears laced with vodka. The refreshment also included fruit soaked in alcohol and a blue cooler containing a punch made with alcohol.
Dierks was allegedly carrying the rifle around during the party. Witnesses said every time Dierks would answer the door, she had the rifle in her hands. While Dierks held the weapon, the firearm allegedly discharged a chambered bullet, which struck Caitlin in the chest, fatally wounding her.
Juvenile No. 1 was standing behind Caitlin when the gun fired a bullet. He said after Caitlin had been shot and fell to the ground, his arm started hurting. The bullet had passed through Caitlin's body and pierced his jacket sleeve.
Juvenile No. 2 said Dierks pointed the gun at him and other people. Asked why, he stated he thought Dierks was trying to "be cute." He also said he did drink alcohol at the party, provided by Dierks.
Juvenile No. 3 said he and another minor were standing in the kitchen. He asked his friend if the gun was loaded. The friend said, "I hope not because she's pointing it right at you." Juvenile No. 3 said he turned around and noticed the gun was pointing directly at him.
He then walked over to Dierks and asked her if it was loaded. Dierks reportedly said, "Yeah, look," and pulled back the charging handle. Juvenile No. 3 said he could see the bullet in the chamber, and when Dierks released the charging handle, the gun went off.
Dierks has also been charged with four counts of aggravated assault based on the alleged pointing and firing of the weapon. The charge carries a potential sentence of a maximum six years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.
The charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor were based on allegedly providing alcohol at the party. The misdemeanor charges carry a potential sentence of one year in the county jail and a maximum fine of $2,500, if convicted.
Dierks remains in the Sevier County jail in De Queen with a $100,000 bond.