A Texarkana man who fatally shot his stepfather with his shotgun in 2011 pleaded guilty to manslaughter June 4 in Miller County and received 10 years’ probation.
At the time of his arrest, Texarkana police charged Keenan Strange, 20, with capital murder in the death of Frank Duggan.
Strange’s defense attorney, John Pickett of Texarkana, said the case is an example of the justice system working properly.
“The prosecuting attorney has a legal and ethical responsibility to seek justice and seek the truth for not only a victim of crime but also one accused of a crime,” Pickett said. “That justice, that truth, was accomplished in this case through a negotiated plea agreement, acceptable to the defendant, the prosecuting attorney and the court.”
If Strange successfully completes probation, he will not have a felony conviction on his record. Circuit Judge Joe Griffin sentenced Strange, who was 19 at the time of the shooting and who had no prior criminal history, under Act 346 of 1975. The law allows a first offender a second chance.
As a condition of his 10-year probation, Strange must serve 90 days in the Miller County jail. Griffin gave Strange credit for 12 days he’d already served before posting bond after his arrest.
“During the investigation of this case, after speaking with neighbors, the family and after receiving additional information about the victim from other law enforcement agencies, we felt manslaughter the most appropriate charge in light of the circumstances in this particular case,” deputy prosecutor Connie Mitchell said.
Mitchell said Duggan had a history of alcohol abuse and he had been abusive toward Strange and his wife, whom he had known for only six or seven months at the time of the altercation that led to his death. Pickett said Strange had been seriously injured by Duggan six weeks before the shooting and was still recovering.
Arkansas, Pages 10 on 06/12/2013