LITTLE ROCK — A 26-year-old Little Rock man arrested in the murder of a local hairdresser admitted to police that he bound the victim and set his vehicle on fire, prosecutors said Monday.
Stephen Andrew Shaw was arrested around 6:45 p.m. Sunday, less than a day after crews responded to a fire at 27 Point West Circle and found the body of 41-year-old Wesley Burris in a burning sport utility vehicle in the garage. Burris, a hair dresser at Salon Corde who lived at the home, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Shaw appeared Monday morning by video in Little Rock District Court. District Judge Alice Lightle entered a not guilty plea for him and ordered him held without bond.
Prosecutors said during the hearing that Shaw spoke with authorities after his arrest, admitting to taping up Burris, stealing items from the residence and setting the vehicle on fire. It wasn't immediately known if Burris died in the fire or from injuries sustained beforehand.
Shaw, who appeared from the Pulaski County jail, did not speak during the hearing.
Police records show Shaw was arrested at 12th Street and University Avenue. He faces charges of capital murder, arson, aggravated robbery and theft of property.
A second suspect, identified as 26-year-old Antonio Suggs, was charged with a single count of theft by receiving because he was found to be in possession of unspecified evidence in the crime, police said. Authorities had earlier indicated that items such as televisions and computers were missing from the residence.
Hastings said he couldn't release additional details on the case, but said Burris and Shaw knew each other.