MARION -- Two Crittenden County men pleaded guilty in separate homicide cases in Crittenden County Circuit Court, 2nd Judicial Circuit Prosecuting Attorney Scott Ellington said.
Jessie Brisco, 31, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder Friday in the Sept. 4, 2016, stabbing death of Carla Brown. Police said Brown, 41, was stabbed 26 times in her home with her 3-year-old daughter nearby.
Circuit Judge Randy Philhours sentenced Brisco to 40 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction.
Dewayne Antonio Smith, 21, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Friday.
Police said Smith beat James Bedford, 27, to death with a hammer April 21. Philhours sentenced Smith to 50 years in the Department of Correction for the slaying and an additional 16 years for an unrelated robbery charge, Ellington said.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Thomas Young prosecuted both cases for the state.
State Desk on 10/24/2017