Death penalty ruled out for Springdale suspect

BENTONVILLE — Prosecutors won’t seek the death penalty against a man accused of killing his roommate.

Mei Ka Sin, 23, is charged with capital murder. The punishment will be life imprisonment without the parole if he’s convicted. He is being held without bail in the Benton County jail.

A review of the evidence led to the decision, Benton County Prosecuting Attorney Nathan Smith said.

“To be eligible for the death penalty in Arkansas, a defendant must commit at least one of 10 statutory aggravating circumstances,” Smith said. “In crafting these aggravating circumstances, our Legislature ensured that only the most heinous murders are eligible for the death penalty. Since there was no evidence of any of these aggravating circumstances in this case, the law does not permit the state to seek capital punishment.”

Sin pleaded innocent Wednesday during his arraignment before Circuit Judge Robin Green. A hearing is scheduled for 8 a.m. Oct. 25.

Sin is accused of acting with premeditation and deliberation in the death of Rwabuzisoni Daniel.

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An anonymous caller on July 17 reported to Springdale police that someone had been shot. Officers found Daniel, 21, dead in one of the units at Chapel Ridge Apartments at 5323 N. Oak St. The area is in the portion of Springdale in Benton County.

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