LEWISVILLE, Ark. (AP) - An Oklahoma man arrested in the death of a southwestern Arkansas deputy sheriff has been formally charged with second-degree murder and assault.
The Texarkana Gazette reported Saturday (https://bit.ly/1jqYfpT ) that Michael Lee Ackart, 28, of Tulsa was charged with murder and three counts of aggravated assault in Lafayette County Circuit Court in Lewisville.
Ackart has pleaded not guilty to the charges related to the March 17 death of Lafayette County Chief Deputy Sheriff Pete Richardson. Lafayette County Circuit Court Judge Kirk Johnson ordered a mental examination to determine whether Ackart is mentally competent to stand trial.
Authorities say Richardson was driving Ackart to a homeless shelter in Miller County when Ackart grabbed the steering wheel of the patrol vehicle, causing Richardson to swerve into oncoming traffic and leading to a three-vehicle crash that killed the deputy.
Authorities said Richardson picked up Ackart on March 17 as he was hitchhiking through Lafayette County after Stamps police received complaints about Ackart’s standing too close to the highway.
Ackart was riding in the front passenger seat when he allegedly grabbed the steering wheel of the police vehicle, causing it to veer into eastbound traffic, according to an affidavit by Arkansas State Police Special Agent Hays McWhirter. The vehicle then veered into eastbound traffic and collided with a sport utility vehicle and a tractor-trailer.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured while the other driver was treated at a Texarkana hospital.
“He was trying to walk to Tulsa, Oklahoma, We have not spoken to any of his family members,” said Prosecuting Attorney Carlton Jones. “Our contention is based on the investigation and he intentionally grabbed the steering,” Jones said.
Police say witnesses reported that Ackart got out on the passenger side of the police vehicle and was walking around saying that he was sorry and that he “didn’t mean to do it.”
Ackart is being held in the Hempstead County Detention Center without bond.
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Information from: Texarkana Gazette, https://www.texarkanagazette.com
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