TEXARKANA — A judge has scheduled an October trial for a 65-year-old Texarkana woman charged in the fatal shooting of a fellow square dancer.
Virginia Ann Hyatt is accused of killing 59-year-old Patricia Wheelington last December. According to an affidavit, Wheelington and Hyatt were both members of the Guys and Dolls Squaredancing Club.
At a court hearing this week, Circuit Judge Joe Griffin scheduled Hyatt's trial for Oct. 20 with a pretrial hearing set for Sept. 22. Prosecuting Attorney Carlton Jones said the state won't be seeking the death penalty, meaning Hyatt faces up to life in prison without parole if convicted of capital murder.
The Texarkana Gazette reported that Hyatt remains in the Miller County jail in lieu of $1 million bond.