Chenoweth ordered to undergo mental evaluation

By Patrick Massey

MADISON COUNTY – A De Queen man accused of killing three family members in Madison County in 2021 has been ordered to undergo a mental evaluation to determine if he is capable of standing before a jury trial.

According to court records, the Circuit Court of Madison County ordered the mental health evaluation last month for 25-yearold Hunter Chenoweth of De Queen. Chenoweth is accused of killing his mother, Tami Lynn Chenoweth, 51; his stepfather, James Stanley McGhee, 59; and his sister, Cheyenne Chenoweth, 26. All three were found deceased inside a home in Madison County on Feb. 23, 2021, according to the Arkansas State Police.

The evaluation will determine if Chenoweth, who has pleaded not guilty to the three counts of capital murder, is capable of appearing in court for a jury trial.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in Chenoweth’s case. His attorneys filed a motion early last year seeking to prevent the death penalty as a possible sentence in his case. Chenoweth asked the court to hold a hearing to present evidence suggesting that prosecutors are denying him the opportunity to enter a plea and thereby avoid the death penalty. The motion described the lack of a plea deal from prosecutors as “abritrary, capricious and standardless.”

That motion was defeated and the Madison County Circuit Court upheld the prosecution’s intent to seek the death penalty. The notice of intent originally filed by prosecutors states the murders for which Chenoweth has been accused were committed in an “especially cruel and depraved manner.”

Chenoweth’s defense was unable to prove its claim that nothing in his case distinguishes it from other cases in which the State of Arkansas has agreed to a plea bargain for a sentence of less than death. A further defense motion sought to proclaim the death penalty as “cruel and unusual” and prohibit it as a sentence in Chenoweth’s case.

The court order filed last year denied Chenoweth’s claim and makes him eligible for the death penalty upon his conviction. Defense attorneys then filed a notice of intent to raise lack of criminal responsibility as a defense due to mental health issues.

Chenoweth has been repeatedly scheduled to appear in court for a jury trial over the past year and a half. However, the trial has been continued on several occasions due to incomplete reports from the Arkansas State Crime Lab. The jury trial is now on hold pending completion of the mental health evaluation.

The Mena/Polk County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Rich Mountain Fiber Co. on Friday, Jan. 20. Rich Mountain Fiber Co. is located at 700 Mena Street. They sell a multitude of yarns, host classes on various crafts, and even offer kits.

2/07 - Cossatot @ Two Rivers

Cossatot River Eagles prepare to launch football, volleyball this spring

By Patrick Massey

WICKES – Get ready Eagles fans, the Cossatot River School District is preparing to launch two brand new athletic programs beginning this fall.

Cossatot River announced last year its decision to build a football and volleyball program from scratch. Both programs now have coaches: ed programs,” Broyles said. “Thus, eligible players are current sixtheighth graders who will field a seventh-ninth junior high team next year for each program. Coach Barrett has sent home junior high football sign-up forms to sixth graders. There are also forms in the CRHS office and on social media.”

Coach Dakota Barrett was hired last year to lead the district’s softball program. Now he will serve in an additional capacity as the Eagles head football coach.

Coach Preston Pope will come to the district this summer, where he will lead the volleyball program in addition to track in the spring.

Superintendent Tyler Broyles said the district will launch its senior and junior high volleyball programs this coming school year. He stresses that Cossatot River students already participating in an existing athletic program are encouraged to join the new programs.

Cossatot River recently hosted an informational meeting to gauge the community’s interest in forming a pee-wee football program within the district’s boundaries. The program would be independent of the school — like other pee-wee sports — and be led by a youth association made up of parents.

Broyles said the district hopes it can facilitate the creation of a peewee football program to help build the future of the district’s junior and senior varsity programs.

“We’re starting our football and

2/03 - Mena vs. Dardanelle

“Students who choose to play football or volleyball can still play basketball — they do not have to choose one or the other since basketball starts after football and volleyball seasons are over,” Broyles explained. “In fact, we encourage students to participate in multiple sports and activities. The only way a student will have to choose is if the sports fall in the same season, like softball/ baseball and soccer, for example.”

Cossatot River’s new football program will begin this fall at the junior high level. Broyles said the program will phase into the senior high level as junior high students advance to high school and as the program grows.

“This is the approach advised by outside officials to ensure viability of the programs based on precedent from other schools who have start- volleyball programs later this year, but pee-wee football, as with any sport, is so crucial to the success of your older teams,” Broyles explained. “But the success of the peewee football program will depend on parental involvement and fundraising for the upfront costs.”

Cossatot River parents who are interested in their student playing — or are interested in coaching a pee-wee football team for the 20232024 school year — are encouraged to contact Coach Barrett at dakota. barrett@cossatot.us.

“Although the pee-wee football program will be led by a youth association independent of the school, Coach Barrett is happy to provide some guidance as needed,” Broyles said. “This is a new and exciting time for CRSD as we advance forward under our vision of unity and growth.”