Trial dates re-set for suspects in drive-by

Trial dates have been re-scheduled for three suspects accused in a fatal drive-by shooting in Ashdown, Ark.

Ninth Circuit Court Judge Charles Yeargan granted the new trial dates during the Little River County Circuit Court session Tuesday in Ashdown.

A pre-trial date of Feb. 20 was scheduled for Joshua King, 20, and Brady Winship, 19, both of Sevier County, Ark. The trial dates for both men will be March 12.

A pre-trial date was set for May 1 for Tenescha Wilkerson, 18, of Sevier County. The trial date for Wilkerson will be May 21.

The trio were allegedly involved in the fatal shooting of Desmond Smith, 19, who died of a gunshot wound to the chest. Samari Covington, 19, was wounded in the arm but has recovered.

Desmond Smith, 19, died of a gunshot wound to the chest. Samari Covington, 19, was wounded in the arm but has recovered. The shooting occurred July 16.

The charges include:

  •     King-murder in the second degree, battery in the first degree and unlawful discharge of a firearm from a vehicle
  •     Winship-accomplice to murder in the second degree, battery in the first degree and unlawful discharge of a firearm from a vehicle
  •     Wilkerson-accomplice to murder in the second degree, battery in the first degree and unlawful discharge of a firearm from a vehicle

A juvenile was also charged as an accomplice. Information regarding the juvenile was not released.

Ashdown police were dispatched to a house at 195 Washington St. about 1 a.m. July 16 regarding a shooting.

Several people in a red Dodge Charger drove by the home looking for someone according to police reports.

All four suspects said during interviews that King wanted to stop at the house so they could fight, according to the arrest affidavit. Winship allegedly drove the vehicle to the Davis' residence to fight.

Several people came out of the Davis residence and were frightened by the group. At least two suspects reportedly said that King fired a weapon at the group from the vehicle as Winship was driving away.

Officers recovered a 9 mm shell casing at the scene and notified the surrounding law enforcement agencies..

The suspected vehicle was stopped by Sevier County Sheriff's Office deputies and a De Queen police officer several hours later near De Queen.

The four occupants of the car were taken into custody without incident.

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