Friends and family of a Fouke, Ark., man allegedly stabbed to death by his wife at their home in January gathered outside the Miller County jail Monday to protest.
The group of less than 10 said they believe the charge of felony manslaughter pending against Tarah Waynett Fries, 25, in connection with the Jan. 5 death of James "Jim" Fries, 35, isn't enough.
"We want his voice to be heard," said Sonya Steward, who describes herself as a life-long friend of James Fries. "This was murder."
Tarah Fries was initially charged with second degree murder by Miller County Sheriff's Office investigators in January following her arrest.
However the charge formally filed by prosecutors is manslaughter, a Class C felony punishable by three to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. Tarah Fries pleaded not guilty to the charge at a hearing in April with the help of Texarkana lawyer John Pickett.
James Fries' mother, Leighann Davis, said she believes Tarah Fries is getting special treatment because her stepmother has practiced law in Texarkana.
"I'm here to stand up for my son," Davis said. "We're hoping to get the attention of the prosecutor because this is not right."
Sabrina Potts, another friend of James Fries, lamented that those charged with nonviolent crimes could face more time than Tarah Fries does for allegedly taking a life.
"People do a lot less and get more time," Potts said. "This is crazy. This was cold-blooded murder."
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Connie Mitchell signed off on a formal charge of manslaughter in March. Prosecuting Attorney Stephanie Black offered to review the case with James Fries' family.
"I don't know if the family has all the facts," Black said. "I would be happy to meet with them at my office and discuss the case."
Tarah Fries allegedly told investigators she acted in self-defense, according to a probable cause affidavit used to create the following account.
Emergency dispatchers received a 911 call from Tarah Fries shortly after 2 a.m. Tarah Fries allegedly said she stabbed James Fries in self-defense after an hourslong argument. Tarah Fries reportedly told investigators she locked herself in the bathroom with a steak knife. Tarah Fries said James Fries wanted to get her cellphone because it contained images of James Fries he did not want anyone else to see.
"Mrs. Fries stated that she had a knife in her hand, and if he attacked her again, she would defend herself," the affidavit states.
Tarah Fries allegedly told investigators James Fries kicked in the bathroom door and was stabbed as he tackled her. James Fries allegedly then ran outside, went down the driveway and then returned, asking to be taken to a hospital.
When deputies arrived, they found James Fries on the ground and Tarah Fries on the phone with 911. James Fries' adult son told deputies he had gone outside to "get away from the arguing" when he heard a scream and his father ran out of the house, stating he needed to go to a hospital.
The son told investigators he had his father in a car and was looking for keys when Tarah Fries got in the car. The son said he would not allow Tarah Fries to drive because "she was drunk," the affidavit states.
James Fries allegedly got out of the car and asked for an ambulance before collapsing on the ground. Despite the efforts of paramedics, he died at the scene. His body was sent to the state crime laboratory in Little Rock for an autopsy.
According to court documents, James Fries had filed for divorce from Tarah Fries in August 2014. Tarah Fries alleged in documents filed in the divorce case that James Fries had behaved aggressively toward her, but James Fries filed documents in response denying her claim. The documents reflect a tumultuous relationship. The couple's three children, ages 7, 5 and 2, were in the home, as was an 18-year-old son of James Fries from a prior marriage.
Tarah Fries' manslaughter case was set for a pretrial hearing before Circuit Judge Carlton Jones today. However, court staff said a scheduling conflict has led to a delay in the setting until February.