In The News
Log Cabin Democrat - Teen cemetery vandals accept plea bargain
The two teenagers arrested on March 24 at the scene of 66 overturned, broken or pulverized headstones at the Cypress Valley Cemetery just southeast of Vilonia have accepted the state’s plea arrangement.
The arrangement, offered by 20th Judicial District Deputy prosecutor Wade Hodge on Wednesday and approved by Circuit Judge Rhonda Wood, includes 30 days in jail, the maximum 1,440 hours each community service with house arrest until this service is completed, letters of apology to all known victims (the survivors of those interred in plots which were vandalized) and an appearance at a cemetery community service day on Labor Day during which they will be required to make a public apology “to all the families that are there,” Wood said.
This sentence includes “maxed out” community service, Wood said, which should take about nine months to complete, as well as the maximum probationary period, which expires when the teens, one of whom is 15 and the other 16, turn 21.
To this, Wood added the requirement that the teens spend as much time as necessary to research the lives of those buried under the headstones they overturned or damaged and to submit a written report of their lives to the court.
“I thought they needed to know about the lives they touched,” she said.
As it happened, the teens seemed interested in vandalizing tombstones in an area of the cemetery containing some of the oldest graves.
According to reports from arresting Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office deputies, the two said when arrested on March 24 that they did it because they were bored, and didn’t know what the “big deal” was. They had overturned several headstones and smashed many, often apparently using pieces of one as a hammer to smash another. Some were pieced back together.
Wood also said that she would like for their reports to be made public.
As for the community service, Wood added, the caretakers of Cypress Valley Cemetery have indicated that they wouldn’t care to have the two teens back on the grounds except for the court-ordered appearance on Labor Day. Finding cemetery caretakers who would have them may prove difficult, she said, and she suggested to the two that they check with area nursing homes.
Restitution is still being calculated, but will probably be at or less than $5,000, and each teen will have to pay a fine of $500, according to 20th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Marcus Vaden, who said that he was pleased to see that the teens would be doing constructive work for the community.
The teens had been set a plea date two weeks ago, but the prosecution asked for an extension to ensure that all known descendants of those in vandalized plots had been notified and asked for their punishment suggestions. This first plea arrangement did not include any jail time, but as it was taken “off the table,” she said, the 30-day sentence was added in the arrangement the teens accepted on Wednesday.
Maj. Andy Shock of FCSO worked with cemetery caretakers and community members to organize a cleanup day on March 27 to fix what could be fixed. Shock said on Wednesday that he applauded “the community involvement during the cemetery cleanup and I also applaud and we give our blessing to Judge Rhonda Wood for a fair sentencing.”
Judge Rhonda Wood participates in UAFS Mock Trial.
Rogers Heritage High Wins Mock Trial Event
Rogers Heritage High School took first place and Springdale Har-Ber High School took second place in the regional mock trial competition held at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith.
Both teams advance to the state competition, along with Springdale High School, who scored well enough to earn a “wild card” slot in the state event on March 6 in Little Rock. Winners at the state level advance to a national competition.
The final round was judged by Rhonda Wood, Faulkner County Circuit Court Judge and Arkansas Court of Appeals candidate. Lynn Lisk, director of the paralegal program at UA Fort Smith and coordinator of the regional competition, said Judge Wood has been instrumental in the directing of the Conway Teen Court program.
“She is a huge supporter of legal education for high school students and the public at large,” said Lisk.
Local attorneys Jason Hunter and Shannon Foster also acted as scoring judges for the final round. Hunter is employed by the Sebastian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and Foster is in private practice.
The Springdale Har-Ber team was made of Evan Verucchi, Jennifer Greenhaw, Elizabeth Ellenbarger, Kelly Hagerty, Anna Gonzales, Russ Reynerson, Jetson Rings, Kristen White and Natasha Cain.
On the Rogers Heritage High team were Dylan Parker, Michael Benzmiller, Diane Velasquez, Jillian Schmidt, Kelly Hudnall, Jordan Martin, Mason Moser, Mason Reynolds, Chelsea Glass, Emily Pappas, Emily Schaefer and Bethany Bishop.
Lisk said the case presented in the competition involved a person accused in a hit-and-run accident that injured a professional marathon runner.
“The competition teaches high school students about the legal system and how it works,” said Lisk. “This is an invaluable tool, giving students a first-hand view of what occurs in a real trial. It also mixes fun with learning in a way that the students carry the information with them into their future lives.”
Statement by 20th District Circuit Judge Rhonda Wood
Today, I announce my candidacy for the Arkansas Court of Appeals in District 2, Position 1. The Arkansas Court of Appeals decides cases that impact all Arkansans. When people appeal a lower court decision or workers compensation ruling to the Arkansas Court of Appeals, it often is their last opportunity to obtain justice.
The decisions made at the Court of Appeals are binding on Arkansas’s lower courts. My history of judicial restraint, fairness, strong values, and common sense equip me to make these urgently important decisions. I believe in consistency in the justice system and value the separation of powers, with judges upholding the law and leaving it to the legislature to write laws.
I have worked diligently for four years as Circuit Judge and am known for being practical. Since taking the bench, I have started numerous new community programs such as teen court, obtained new grants to make these improvements without financially burdening the people of my district, increased revenue, decreased juvenile recidivism, and increased technology and access to justice. I am proud to say that many of the improvements I initiated are now being adopted by courts around the state.
I have truly found my time as Circuit Judge rewarding, so this decision is bittersweet. But I believe I can best serve our State on the Court of Appeals. My variety of experiences uniquely qualify me for this position. I was already a wife and mother when I completed college and went to law school. Since then, I have become a lawyer, a business owner, a law school administrator, a professor and now a judge.
Our Court of Appeals District encompasses 18 counties through central and northern Arkansas. I am thankful for the citizens in Faulkner, Van Buren, and Searcy Counties who have been there for me for four years as your Circuit Judge. I ask you now to support my efforts to take our successes to a state-wide level.
To the citizens of Boone, Marion, Baxter, Fulton, Randolph, Lawrence, Sharp, Izard, Stone, Newton, Pope, Conway, Cleburne, Independence, and Jackson counties: I will be coming to your community soon to meet you so you can judge me for yourself. But also, I urge you to reach out to your friends in Faulkner, Van Buren, and Searcy Counties -- lawyers, business owners, school teachers, and law enforcement -- and ask them about my reputation as judge. I look forward to visiting with each of you in your community during this short three month race!