Self-representation for suspect in Realtor killing approved

35-year-old Arron Lewis (right) received approval on Wednesday to have his attorney dismissed and represent himself. He and his estranged wife, Crystal Lowery, 42 (left), who are both charged in the kidnapping and killing Little Rock real estate agent Beverly Carter, had additional trial dates set.
35-year-old Arron Lewis (right) received approval on Wednesday to have his attorney dismissed and represent himself. He and his estranged wife, Crystal Lowery, 42 (left), who are both charged in the kidnapping and killing Little Rock real estate agent Beverly Carter, had additional trial dates set.

A judge ruled Wednesday that a man charged in the kidnapping and killing of a Little Rock real estate agent will be allowed to dismiss his attorney and represent himself in the case.

After Pulaski County Circuit Judge Herbert Wright accepted a mental evaluation filed last week that found Aaron Lewis, 34, fit to proceed to trial, Lewis asked the court to dismiss lawyer Jim Hensley.

"I would like to terminate my lawyer," Lewis said. "I do not wish for Mr. Hensley to continue representing me. I've told him numbers of times he's been discharged."

Wright questioned Lewis to determine whether he would be able to represent himself at his forthcoming trial dates.

Lewis said he has some college education, can read and write and said he does have legal experience because he "won a lawsuit against Benton County."

Wright told Lewis that he would treat him just like any other attorney in the courtroom, and Lewis said he understood.

Lewis said he also understood that he would not be allowed to leave the Arkansas Department of Correction to investigate his case and that "it's not much different than what's happening now."

ArkansasOnline previously reported that the Arkansas State Hospital report from clinical psychologist Melissa Dannacher noted that Lewis complained frequently about this attorney.

Lewis and estranged wife Crystal Lowery, 42, are each charged with capital murder in the killing of Realtor Beverly Carter, whose body was found in a shallow grave last year in northern Pulaski County days after she disappeared after going to show a home in Scott.

Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney John Johnson said Wednesday that the prosecution has waived the option to pursue the death penalty in the case after talking with Carter's family.

Lowery was also present in court Wednesday and had her next court appearance set for July 7.

Lewis' next trial date was set for June 1.

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