A Texarkana man accused of manslaughter in a death allegedly resulting from punches thrown in a fistfight pleaded not guilty Tuesday at a court hearing in Miller County.
Travarus Devon Brown, 29, appeared with Texarkana lawyer Matt Stephens for arraignment Tuesday before Circuit Judge Carlton Jones in a courtroom at the Miller County jail. Stephens entered a not-guilty plea to manslaughter on Brown's behalf in the June death of 49-year-old James Myer.
Brown allegedly became upset June 26 with Meyer in the parking area near the office of the Smith Keys Apartments in Texarkana, Ark., according to a probable cause affidavit used to create the following account. Meyer was found on the ground at around 9 p.m. and transported to a local hospital via ambulance. Medical staff informed investigators that Myers was not expected to survive two skull fractures and brain swelling. Meyers died two days later.
Brown was identified as a suspect after police interviewed children who had witnessed the altercation and learned that Brown's girlfriend lived in the complex. Officers were able to find Brown and his girlfriend walking in an area near the apartments June 28. During an interview with investigators Brown allegedly said he was irked because Meyers made fun of him for having to sneak into his girlfriend's apartment through a window because he had been banned from the property.
Prosecuting Attorney Stephanie Black is handling the case for the state. Jones scheduled Brown to return to court for a pretrial hearing next month.
If convicted of manslaughter, Brown faces three to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. He is currently being held in the Miller County jail. Bail is set at $50,000.