HOT SPRINGS -- A man has been sentenced to 90 years in prison for invading a home last summer and beating a man unconscious, leaving the victim with possibly permanent injuries.
Andre Leonard Flowers, 36, was found guilty last week of aggravated residential burglary and sentenced to 60 years in prison, and of first-degree battery and sentenced to 30 years, with the sentences to run consecutively for a total of 90 years.
The nine-man, three-woman Garland County Circuit Court jury deliberated for only 25 minutes before finding Flowers guilty of both charges and "about the same length of time" before recommending the sentences, deputy prosecutor Ron Jones said Thursday.
Flowers has remained in custody without bond since his arrest Aug. 15, 2017, after a two-hour standoff with Hot Springs police.
His accomplice, Jeremy Douglas James, 36, was set to stand trial Wednesday on the same charges but pleaded guilty that morning to the charge of first-degree battery. After a one-day hearing, a six-man, six-woman jury sentenced him to 15 years in prison.
James' residential-burglary charge was withdrawn.
James was arrested July 26, 2017, after a brief standoff and had remained in custody until May 16, when he was released on $75,000 bond. Jones said he withdrew a motion to classify James, who had two convictions for breaking or entering and possession of a firearm by certain persons, as a habitual offender in exchange for his plea since they were both nonviolent offenses.
Flowers, formerly of Las Vegas, was convicted as a habitual offender, having been previously convicted in 2009 of conspiracy to commit robbery, and in 2013 of battery by strangulation, both in Las Vegas.
Jones noted there was medical evidence presented during the trial Sept. 24 that indicated the 40-year-old victim had been strangled to the point of unconsciousness, causing brain injuries. Jones said the victim, who has no memory of the attack, testified how his life has been "altered forever" by the injuries.
"He explained to the jury what his life was like before and after what happened," Jones said, noting the injuries left the victim in a condition "very similar to having a stroke."
Jones said the man has trouble speaking and walks with a cane because of partial paralysis on his left side. A neurosurgeon also testified about the extent of the victim's injuries.
Jones said Flowers did not testify during the guilt-finding phase of his trial because the prosecution could have presented his convictions, but he testified during the sentencing phase.
According to the probable-cause affidavit, police responded June 22, 2017, to the apartments at 2000 Central Ave. and arrived to find the victim unconscious and struggling to breathe, lying in the hallway outside his apartment.
A witness told officers the victim had been arguing with two men outside the apartment. At one point, the victim turned to walk back inside his apartment and was followed by both men. Moments later, both men "hurriedly fled the scene" and left in a white minivan.
Later that day, detectives spoke with the victim's girlfriend, who was reportedly present during the attack. She said the victim argued with Flowers.
She said Flowers pulled out a knife and the victim grabbed one, too, to defend himself. After the two "exchanged words," the victim turned to walk back inside. At that point, Flowers "rushed" him, pushing him inside and striking him about his head and face.
The victim was transported to a hospital with numerous injuries, including a contusion near his left eye, which was swollen shut, and bruising along the center of his neck. A scan revealed the victim suffered bleeding on the brain and swelling in his neck, and there were preliminary indications of a lack of oxygen to the brain.
The victim's mother later told police her son would most likely have to go into a long-term assisted-living facility because of the brain damage.
Warrants were issued for Flowers and James, who was arrested July 26 after a brief standoff with a Special Weapons and Tactics team at a mobile home in the 100 block of Ward Street.
Flowers was arrested Aug. 15 after a two-hour standoff with police at his residence on Lawson Street that prompted the evacuation of a nearby day care as a precaution.
State Desk on 10/02/2018