Alleged Murderer Goes Free; Prosecutor Cautioned

A caution has been issued to an Arkansas deputy prosecutor by the Committee on Professional Conduct for  violation of Rule 8.4(d) (conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice).

The disciplinary case is somewhat unusual. The prosecutor’s conduct had led to dismissal of the charges without trial on the merits. 

In a murder case, the prosecutor had failed to prevent the running of the defendant’s speedy trial rights, resulting in dismissal of the charges.

KATV Little Rock reported

The man accused of killing a Des Arc man nearly four years ago walked free Wednesday without ever going trial after a Prairie County judge dismissed the case against him because he did not receive a speedy trial.

Arkansas law requires the defendant be brought to trial within 12 months, excluding certain time frames, but that was exceeded for Frederick Owens Jr., who was charged with murder in death of Donovan Buck, who was found stabbed to death in Sept. 2012.

On Monday, Owens’ defense attorney filed a motion to dismiss the case for lack of a speedy trial. This was almost four years after Owens’ initial arrest.

This caused the judge to rule an absolute dismissal in the case, meaning it cannot be retried.

Buck’s father says he believes the case fell through the cracks, even though he’s tried to get answers for the last four years.

“I asked for a court date three or four times. My brother and I went down to the court and asked for a date and he [Deputy Prosecutor Keith Rhodes] come out really rude to me,” said Buck.

Southeast Missourian had the story of the murder. (Mike Frisch)