Jury Trial Sentences Man to 10 Years on Charges of Battery 1st Degree & Homicide

Howard County held the Jury Trial for 23 YO Chance Manasco of Mena on Tuesday. Manasco faced 2 felony charges: 1 for battery in the 1st degree, and 2nd for negligent homicide while operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

On February 2nd, 2019 Manasco was traveling on State Highway 84 with 3 passengers. Reports indicate Manasco was travelling near 90 miles an hour when his vehicle ran off the roadway causing him to lose control overturning the vehicle numerous times.

As a result of the accident Rachel Norman, one of the passengers, lost her life. A second passenger, Chantal Sims, sustained a traumatic brain injury.

Toxicology reports came back to show Manasco with a blood alcohol level of .125.

The jury of peers, after hearing all evidence and defense, found Manasco to be guilty on both charges. Manasco was sentenced to 10 years within the Arkansas Department of Corrections on all charges with 286 days credit applied for jail time served. The Howard County Sheriff’s office is responsible for his transport to ADC custody.