Man pleads guilty in Baxter County slaying

MOUNTAIN HOME — A Baxter County man has been sentenced to life in prison for the 2012 New Year's Eve slaying of his girlfriend.

David Smith had been set to go to trial this week on a capital-murder charge in the bludgeoning death of Lisa Kay Smith. The Baxter Bulletin reported that David Smith pleaded guilty to first-degree murder Thursday. During court proceedings, Smith acknowledged his role in Lisa Smith's death but said nothing else before his sentencing.

Authorities say the two shared the same last name but were not married.

Police say investigators believe Lisa Smith died from head and neck trauma after she was beaten with a claw hammer and knife. An autopsy found that she had been struck 10 times in the head.

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