Attorneys for the man accused of killing two people at Devil’s Den State Park have filed a motion alleging the prosecutor violated a court ordered gag order through campaign videos.
Andrew James McGann faces two counts of capital murder in the July 2025 deaths of Clinton David Brink and Cristen Amanda Brink, who were attacked while hiking with their two daughters.
Defense attorneys argue statements made by Washington County Prosecutor Brandon Carter in videos posted to social media during his campaign for the Arkansas Court of Appeals could prejudice potential jurors. The filing asks the court to bar Carter from seeking the death penalty, claiming McGann’s right to an impartial jury has been compromised.
Carter filed a response denying any violation, saying he did not discuss evidence, opinions on guilt or innocence, or the likelihood of conviction, which are prohibited under the gag order. He said his comments were limited to publicly available information and updates on the case.
Carter also argued that pretrial publicity is not grounds to remove the death penalty as a possible sentence.
McGann is accused of killing the Prairie Grove couple at Devil’s Den State Park. Their two young daughters were not injured. Authorities arrested McGann after a five day search, capturing him in Springdale.
The court has not yet ruled on the defense motion.
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