RUSSELLVILLE — A western Arkansas man charged in the shooting death of a reserve deputy sheriff has been formally arraigned on the charge.
KHBS reported that Fred Kauffeld was arraigned Thursday in Pope County Circuit Court in Russellville on a capital murder charge for the May 15 shooting death of Johnson County reserve deputy Sonny Smith. Kauffeld is being held in the Pope County jail.
Authorities say Kauffeld shot Smith while Smith and another deputy were investigating a burglary call.
Defense attorney John Burnett information presented at the start of a case is often inaccurate.
Prosecutor David Gibbons said a decision has not been made on whether to seek the death penalty if Kauffeld is convicted.