Trial continued for De Queen man charged with shooting officer, fleeing

A jury trial has been rescheduled to next year for a Sevier County man accused of wounding a De Queen police officer and leading law enforcement through a multi-county pursuit during an incident this past summer.

According to court records, 37-year-old Kenneth Lee Smith appeared before the Sevier County Circuit Court for a pre-trial hearing on Dec. 7. Smith, who has pleaded not guilty, is facing a range of multiple felony charges from an incident on July 8.

During his hearing last week, the court granted a motion to continue requested by Smith’s attorney. He is scheduled to reappear before the Sevier County Circuit Court for a pre-trial hearing on April 11, 2024. If he maintains his plea of not guilty, Smith is currently scheduled for a jury trial on April 24.

Charges filed against Smith include aggravated residential burglary, first-degree battery and four counts of attempted murder for the initial incident on July 7 within a home on 113 Sweet Home Lane near De Queen. He’s also charged with attempted capital murder for the shooting of DQPD Lt. Chad Bradshaw during the subsequent pursuit.

Upon a conviction, the range of offenses could see Smith serving up to 40 years or life imprisonment.

Smith remains in the Sevier County Jail on a $1 million cash-only bond.

Smith’s charges stem from an incident that began following a report of a domestic disturbance at the residence on Sweet Home Lane. Upon arrival, the responding officer, Chris Turner of the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office, was met with gunfire and his patrol unit was hit with multiple rounds. Smith then reportedly fled the scene on a motorcycle, leading to the subsequent pursuit.

Smith was later located in Little River County with the assistance of dog and horse teams, as well as drones and an Arkansas State Police helicopter. The manhunt lasted several hours before Smith was apprehended without further incident.