The trial of a woman charged with murder in the death of an Arkansas police officer began Monday morning with opening statements. Shawna Cash is charged with capital murder, fleeing, two counts of aggravated assault, and obstructing governmental charges. She’s accused of killing Pea Ridge police officer Kevin Apple in 2021.
Former Pea Ridge officer, Brian Stamps, and Kevin Apple heard a dispatch about 11:30 a.m. June 26, 2021, to be on the lookout for a Jeep fleeing from Rogers police. When they spotted a Jeep matching the description at a White Oak station in Pea Ridge, Stamps testifies he approached the Jeep from the rear and Apple approached from the front. The driver of the Jeep, then 22-year-old Shawna Cash, put the Jeep in reverse and crashed into his patrol vehicle. Apple then yelled three verbal commands before the Jeep swerved right and hit Apple’s patrol vehicle and then speed away from the store. When the Jeep was about 20 feet away, Stamps noticed Apple under the moving vehicle and fired four shots in attempt to stop Cash’s Jeep. After the fourth shot, Stamps testified that Apple’s body was dislodged from the vehicle.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Cash’s defense attorney argues that Cash didn’t intentionally harm a police officer, but was trying to escape from the scene.
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