Benton

15-Year-Old Girl from Rogers Faces Murder Charges as Benton County Judge Finds Probable Cause

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ROGERS, Ark. — A Benton County circuit judge has determined that there is sufficient evidence to hold a 15-year-old girl from Rogers in connection with a murder investigation. The decision follows a hearing that raised serious allegations regarding her involvement in the crime. During the court proceedings, the judge ruled that probable cause exists, allowing the teenage suspect to be detained as the investigation continues. The case has drawn significant attention from the community and local law enforcement as details emerge about the circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities reported that the girl was arrested following … Read more

Parents Awarded $32 Million After Benton Police Officer Fatally Shoots Teenager

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Little Rock, Arkansas – A jury has awarded $32 million to the parents of a teenager who was fatally shot by a Benton police officer in 2016. The weeklong trial concluded with the jury finding the city of Benton liable for $30 million and former Benton Police Chief Kirk Lane liable for $1 million. Officer Kyle Ellison, who fired the fatal shots, was cleared of claims of excessive force and assault and battery. The civil trial began on January 29 in Little Rock, focusing on the officer-involved shooting death of 17-year-old Keagan Schweikle. Responding to … Read more

City of Benton and Former Police Chief Fight Against $32 Million Verdict in Fatal Shooting Case

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Benton City, Arkansas – The City of Benton and its legal representatives have requested that the US District Court overturn the jury’s verdicts against former Benton Police Chief Kirk Lane and the city. This comes after a jury awarded $32 million to the parents of a teenager killed by a Benton police officer in 2016, following a weeklong trial in Little Rock. The jury held the city of Benton liable for $30 million, with $15 million attributed to the failure to train its officers and another $15 million for the failure to investigate the fatal … Read more

Jury Awards $32 Million in Damages to Family of Suicidal Teen Wrongfully Killed by Benton Police

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A federal jury in Little Rock has awarded $32 million in damages to the family of a suicidal teenager who was killed by the Benton police in 2016. The jury reached its verdict on Monday against the City of Benton and former Police Chief Kirk Lane. The case brings attention to issues of police conduct and accountability, with significant implications for civil rights and law enforcement practice. The incident occurred on October 17, 2016, when the mother of 17-year-old Keagan Schweikle called 911 to report that he had threatened suicide with … Read more