Arron Lewis' trial for the murder of Beverly Carter - Little Rock, AR

Trial begins of man accused of killing Arkansas realtor Beverly Carter with his estranged wife

. Arron Lewis pleaded not guilty to kidnapping and murdering Beverly Carter
. Jury selection began for his trial on Monday in Little Rock
. His estranged wife Crystal Lowery, 41, pleaded guilty in June
. She is serving a 30-year-sentence and will testify for the prosecution  
. Carter went missing in September 2014 after heading out to show a home
. The 50-year-old's body was found five days later buried in shallow grave
. Evidence found in Lewis' home and car must be excluded from trial
. Judge ruled that the detectives' search warrants were overly broad

By Associated Press and Snejana Farberov For Dailymail.com
Published: 15:36 EST, 12 January 2016  | Updated: 17:32 EST, 12 January 2016


Aaron Lewis has pleaded not guilty to the kidnapping and murder of Beverly Carter, 50, who disappeared in September 2014 after telling her husband she was going to show a house. Her body was found days later

The trial for an Arkansas man accused of killing a 50-year-old real estate agent with his estranged wife began this week with jury selection.

Aron Lewis has pleaded not guilty to the kidnapping and murder of Beverly Carter, 50, who disappeared in September 2014 after telling her husband she was going to show a house.

Her body was found days later in a shallow grave at a concrete plant where Lewis had previously worked.

Lewis' estranged wife, Crystal Lowery, was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree murder and kidnapping charges in June.

Prosecutors will be allowed to use her testimony about the alleged plan to target Carter, including the couple's plans to find a married real estate agent so they had someone to pay ransom.


Jury selection for the trial of Arron Lewis, who is accused of killing real estate agent Beverly Carter, began this week

But most of the information investigators gathered while interviewing Lewis will be excluded from trial under a ruling in December by Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Herbert Wright.

Wright said search warrants obtained by detectives were overly broad and ruled that evidence found in Lewis' trunk and home will not be allowed.

The warrants found duct tape and Carter's hair in the trunk, and her phone and other items belong to her at his home.

Wright said information from the interrogation also had to be omitted because Lewis had invoked his right to have an attorney present but was not provided one.

Read more:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3396306/Arron-Lewis-trial-murder-real-estate-agent-Beverly-Carter-begins-Arkansas.html#ixzz3x9bD8pYc

Jury Selection Begins in Trial of Man Accused of Killing Arkansas Realtor Beverly Carter

By Steve Helling @stevehelling 01/12/2016 AT 12:50 PM EST

It was supposed to be her last appointment of the day.

When real estate agent Beverly Carter arrived at a home in Scott, Arkansas in September 2014, she planned to show the vacant property to a prospective buyer.

But the 50-year-old realtor vanished, leaving a stunned community searching for answers.

Police quickly focused on 33-year-old Arron Lewis as their suspect, and they say he led them to her body, which was buried in the concrete plant where Lewis had once worked. A month later, his estranged wife, Crystal Lowery, was also arrested and charged with the murder.

Sixteen months later, Lewis is now facing trial in Carter's murder. More than 100 potential jurors arrived at the Pulaski County Courthouse on Tuesday morning. Prosecutors hope to impanel a 12-member jury by Wednesday morning.

Read more:

http://www.people.com/article/arron-lewis-trial-killing-beverly-carter-jury-selection

The Latest: Jury chosen in real estate agent killing

Published January 12, 2016 · Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. –  The latest in the trial of a man accused of killing an Arkansas real estate agent after luring her to a rural home outside Little Rock (all times local):

2:40 p.m.

A jury has been seated in the trial of a man accused of killing an Arkansas real estate agent after luring her to a rural home outside Little Rock.

Arron Lewis has pleaded not guilty to capital murder and kidnapping in the death of 49-year-old Beverly Carter. His trial began Tuesday morning, and jury selection wrapped up by mid-afternoon.

Carter disappeared in September 2014, after telling her husband she was going to show a house. Her body was found days later in a shallow grave at a concrete plant where Lewis had previously worked.

Investigators say emails and phone records led them to Lewis and his estranged wife, Crystal Lowery. But citing missteps by investigators, the judge has blocked key evidence found at Lewis' home and vehicle, including pieces of Carter's hair.

Read more:

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/01/12/latest-jury-chosen-in-real-estate-agent-killing.html

The Latest: Judge instructs jury in Arkansas murder trial

19 hours ago

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The latest in the trial of a man accused of killing an Arkansas real estate agent after luring her to a rural home outside Little Rock (all times local):

4:50 p.m.

A judge has instructed jurors in the trial of a man accused of killing an Arkansas real estate agent to avoid watching the news or reading a newspaper.

The jurors were chosen Tuesday in the trial of Arron Lewis.
who is accused of killing 50-year-old Beverly Carter.

Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Herbert Wright released the 12 jurors and two alternates late Tuesday afternoon after giving them instructions to avoid news about the case.

Read more:

http://www.stltoday.com/news/national/the-latest-judge-instructs-jury-in-arkansas-murder-trial/article_38215b4b-96e4-567e-8164-aad8c73994b2.html

January 13, 2016 1:49 PM

The Latest: Sides clash on what led to agent's death


Arron Lewis, second from right, is led out of a courtroom Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016, at the Pulaski County Courthouse following jury selection in his capitol murder trial in Little Rock, Ark. Lewis is charged with capital murder and kidnapping in the September 2014 death of real estate agent Beverly Carter. (Staton Breidenthal/The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP) ARKANSAS TIMES OUT; ARKANSAS BUSINESS OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT

The Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  — The latest on the capital murder trial of an Arkansas man accused in the kidnapping and killing of a real estate agent (all times local):

12:40 p.m.

An Arkansas prosecutor told jurors that a man killed a real estate agent when a ransom plan began to fall through, though his defense attorney maintains the death was an accident.

Pulaski County Deputy Prosecutor Barbara Mariani said during her opening statement Wednesday that Arron Lewis targeted Beverly Carter.

Mariani said Lewis and his wife lured Carter to a rural home outside Little Rock and tried to demand a ransom from her husband, but when the plan started to unravel, Lewis killed Carter by wrapping her head in duct tape.

Carter was later found in a shallow grave.

Defense attorney Bill James told jurors that Carter died during a sexual tryst gone wrong, but Mariani says that's a complete fabrication.

Read more:

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/article54438490.html#storylink=cpy

Coverage of Arron Lewis Trial

Published 01/13 2016 08:25AM
Updated 01/13 2016 11:35AM

11:30 a.m. update:

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Here are the latest tweets from our reporters in the courtroom covering the capital murder trial of Arron Lewis.

The defense said the following in opening statements:

Beverly Carter was having a "midlife crisis," making bad decisions, had marriage/financial trouble.

"She was not kidnapped" "Arron was not there when she died."

11 a.m. update:

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Here are the latest tweets from our reporters in the courtroom covering the capital murder trial of Arron Lewis.

Prosecutor: During interview with KARK4 Anchor/Reporter Shannon Miller, Arron Lewis admits to kidnapping.

Prosecution ends opening statement: "Beverly Carter was kidnapped by this man and died a terrible death that no one deserves."

10:30 a.m. update:

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Here are the latest tweets from our reporters in the courtroom covering the capital murder trial of Arron Lewis.

Prosecutor: During interview with KARK4 Anchor/Reporter Shannon Miller, Arron Lewis admits to kidnapping.

Prosecution: Lewis killed Carter by wrapping duct tape around her face until she suffocated.

Prosecution: Arron Lewis used taser to kidnap Carter, then duct tapes her and puts her in trunk of his car.

Prosecutor begins opening statement: "Who was Beverly Carter?".... Wife, mother, grandmother... Targeted by that man (points to Lewis).

Room packed with Beverly Carter's family, friends and coworkers.

Original story:

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Opening statements begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Pulaski County Courthouse in the capital murder trial of Arron Lewis.

Lewis is accused in the September 2014 death of realtor Beverly Carter. She disappeared after going to an appointment to show a house to a prospective buyer and was found dead a few days later.

Jury selection on Tuesday put in place a panel consisting of four men and 10 women. They include a woman whose uncle was murdered, a close friend of a former Arkansas State Police captain and a friend of a Pulaski County Sheriff's Office deputy.

The prosecution says it will call 22 witnesses. The defense will call about 10 witnesses, including the victim's husband, Carl Carter Sr.

The judge hopes to have the trial over this week.

KARK 4 News is closely following the Lewis trial and so can you. Just follow reporter Drew Petrimoulx, Victoria Price and KARK 4 News on Twitter (@DrewPetrimoulx, @VictoriaPriceTV, @KARK4News) to get the latest information.

Drew has “big trial” coverage experience, having covered the 2011 Casey Anthony trial in Florida during which he provided coverage for the national news program Nancy Grace.

Also follow Chanley Painter on Twitter (@chanleysha). She's an attorney and prosecutor based in Heber Springs who will provide legal commentary for our coverage of the trial.

KARK 4 News crews will be using the hashtag #ArronLewis throughout court proceedings.

Read more:

http://www.arkansasmatters.com/news/local-news/coverage-of-arron-lewis-trial

Trial Over Arkansas Real Estate Agent's Death Opens

By claudia lauer, associated press ·
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Jan 13, 2016, 2:45 PM ET

Jurors in the capital murder trial for an Arkansas man accused of kidnapping and killing a real estate agent heard vastly different theories Wednesday, with prosecutors describing a brutal killing and the defense claiming the victim may have accidentally died during a consensual sex act.

Prosecutors said during opening statements that Arron Lewis and his estranged wife targeted Beverly Carter as part of a ransom scheme. The 50-year-old real estate agent disappeared in September 2014 after telling her husband she was showing a house.

~Snipped~

"The last thing that Beverly experienced was unspeakable horror at that man's hands," Mariani said, motioning toward Lewis.

But defense attorney Bill James said prosecutors were presenting a "made-for-TV movie" and that Carter's death may have been an accident that happened during a sexual tryst.

"Is this a search for the truth or a search for conviction?" James asked jurors.

Mariani said the defense theory was a complete fabrication. She noted that Lewis' wife, who pleaded guilty to first-degree murder last year in the case, will testify about how she and Lewis went looking for a married real estate agent so they could demand a ransom from a spouse

Read more:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/trial-arkansas-real-estate-agents-death-opens-36272013

Murder trial begins with defense casting blame on accused's wife

Posted By Max Brantley on Wed, Jan 13, 2016 at 11:45 AM


TRIAL BEGINS: Arron Lewis with deputy at trial today.

A standing-room only crowd was on hand for opening statements today in the murder trial of Arron Lewis, accused of the September 2014 abduction and murder of real estate agent Beverly Carter.

The prosecution described a gruesome slaying in which Carter was asphyxiated by having her head wrapped with duct tape and thrown in the trunk of a car, after meeting Lewis and his wife, Crystal Lowery, about a house for sale at Scott. Prosecutors said they would use Lewis' own statements, including in an interview with a reporter, as well as texts, recordings and his wife's testimony.

The defense launched multi-faceted alternative scenarios, including that Carter's death was a "hookup" gone bad — that her death was accidental during a sex act with Lowery. Defense lawyer Bill James indicated he'll throw suspicion on Lowery, who plea-bargained in the case and received a 30-year sentence.


FOR THE DEFENSE: Bill James is Lewis' attorney. - BRIAN CHILSON

Read more:

http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2016/01/13/murder-trial-begins-with-defense-casting-blame-on-accuseds-wife

#ArronLewisTrial: Live blog on trial surrounding death of Ark. real estate agent

THV11 Staff, news source   5:22 p.m. CST January 13, 2016


Arron Lewis being escorted into cour.t
(Photo: THV11)

5:17 p.m.

Court is now in recess until 9:45 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 14.

4:24 p.m.

Prosecution calls Pulaski County Sheriff's Office investigator Jeff Allison to the stand.

- Allison said Lewis found Carter's "Internet page."

- Defense asks Allison "what's to stop you from changing info on a report," and he said, "Because I held my hand up yesterday."

- Defense asks Allison if he told Brenda Rhoads, head broker at Crye-Leike, that "Everbody leads secret lives?" He said "Yes."

- Allison said he was not aware if Carter was on any dating sites.

4:15 p.m.

Steven Burroughs with FBI is called to the stand.

- Burroughs said Lewis wanted to talk to him about the possibility of going before a federal judge to plead guilty of kidnapping.

- He said Lewis named a co-defendant as "Trevor," and said he might have moved Carter to a different location.

4:05 p.m.

The GM of Argos Concrete Company, Lewis' former employer, takes the stand.  Carter's body was found on Argos Concrete Company property.

- Argos GM confirmed that Lewis is a former employee. He said he remembers Lewis as a sharp individual.

3:55 p.m.

Witness Adam Nash takes the stand. He is said to have called 911 after spotting Lewis.

- Nash said he saw someone outside a "vape" shop on Green Mountain Drive who asked him when it opened. The man's appearance matched Arron Lewis.

- Nash called 911 and said he saw him pacing in front of his vehicle.

- The prosecution asked Nash why he chased Lewis.  He responded, "I don't know."

- Nash said he saw Lewis throw gloves down when he ran away.

3:45 p.m.

The court took a 15-minute recess. When it reconvened, another investigator took the stand.

- The investigator said he witnessed Lewis' car flip and land on its passenger side.  He was following his car after it matched the subject description.  

2:50 p.m.

Former Pulaski Co. Sheriff's Office investigator Michael Hendrix is called to the stand.

- Hendrix said he examined Carter's work laptop on Sept. 25, 2014 and found evidentiary email.

- One email stood out, Hendrix said, with the title "listings" sent the day before Carter's disappearance.  It was sent from the name, "Steve Adams."  He said the email account was created on Sept. 24, 2014.

- Hendrix was able to connect the "listings" email as being connected to Lewis' estranged wife, Crystal Lowery's home through IP address.

1:50 p.m.

The court reconvened at 1:50 p.m. Special agent Drew Evans was called to the stand.

- Evans said a suspicious number emerged during investigation of Carter's phone records.

- He said the last phone call Carter made was at 5:37 p.m. on Sept. 25, 2014.  It was to her husband, Carl.

- The prosecution noted that one text conversation could have 50 texts, but it doesn't mean there were 50 conversations between Lewis and Carter.

- Agent Evans said Lewis and Lowery attempted to delete some texts between each other, but the text had been recovered.

12:50 p.m.

Read more:

http://www.thv11.com/story/news/features/2016/01/13/arronlewistrial-timeline-trial-events/78735360/

Arron Lewis Capital Murder Trial

Video:

http://www.onenewspage.com/video/20160113/3786878/Arron-Lewis-Capital-Murder-Trial.htm

Arron Lewis Trial, Day 3 Coverage

Published 01/14 2016 09:48AM
Updated 01/14 2016 09:54AM

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Testimony continues this morning at the Pulaski County Courthouse in the capital murder and kidnapping trial of Arron Lewis.

Lewis is accused in the September 2014 death of realtor Beverly Carter. She disappeared after going to an appointment to show a house to a prospective buyer and was found dead a few days later.

See the related stories at right for a recap of Wednesday's proceedings at the trial.

FOX16 News is closely following the Lewis trial and so can you. Just follow reporter Drew Petrimoulx, Victoria Price and FOX16News on Twitter (@DrewPetrimoulx, @VictoriaPriceTV, @FOX16News) to get the latest information.

Also follow Chanley Painter on Twitter (@chanleysha). She's an attorney and prosecutor based in Heber Springs who will provide legal commentary for our coverage of the trial.

FOX16 crews will be using the hashtag #ArronLewis throughout court proceedings.

Read more:

http://www.fox16.com/news/local-news/arron-lewis-trial-day-3-coverage

Chanley Shá Painter ‏@chanleysha  · 5h  
Defense must make a motion for directed verdict @ the close of states case to preserve issues on an appeal #ArronLewis


Chanley Shá Painter ‏@chanleysha  · 5h
Bill James says he intends to call 3-4 witnesses tomorrow in defendants case in chief  #ArronLewis #ARnews


Chanley Shá Painter ‏@chanleysha  · 5h  
Bill James speaking to reporters now and says #ArronLewis wife was not credible in his opinion #ARnews


Chanley Shá Painter ‏@chanleysha  · 6h
The prosecution has rested its case after the autopsy testimony. Tomoro the defense has the opportunity to present its case #ArronLewis


Chanley Shá Painter ‏@chanleysha  · 7h
Autopsy photos of #BeverlyCarter are being shown to the jury #ArronLewis #ARnews


Chanley Shá Painter ‏@chanleysha  · 7h
Attorneys agree she can testify as an expert witness #ArronLewis #ARnews


Chanley Shá Painter ‏@chanleysha  · 7h  
Criminalist in the trace evidence section of the Arkansas state Crome Lab is on the stand #ArronLewis #ARnews


Chanley Shá Painter ‏@chanleysha  · 7h
This deputy later realized that the person he stopped was #ArronLewis


Chanley Shá Painter ‏@chanleysha  · 7h  
Bc this road was not busily traveled he stopped an approaching car while leaving house #BeverlyCarter disappeared from


Chanley Shá Painter ‏@chanleysha  · 7h  
Next witness is a deputy who responded to #BeverlyCarter missing person call on old river road


Chanley Shá Painter ‏@chanleysha  · 7h  
#ArronLewis wife is off the stand


Chanley Shá Painter Retweeted
Marci Manley ‏@Marci_Manley  · 7h
Lowery: I didn't physically kill her but I played part in it because I knew about it. James: you pleaded to murder b/c you knew about it?


Chanley Shá Painter ‏@chanleysha  · 7h  
Defense is trying to make it appear as if #ArronLewis wife's story is not credible &  she may have motive to be untruthful today


Chanley Shá Painter ‏@chanleysha  · 8h  
Now #ArronLewis wife is being questioned ab the TextMe app which lead back to her name #ARnews


Chanley Shá Painter ‏@chanleysha  · 8h  
#ArronLewis wife confirms that her husband never mentioned her involvement in crime until she agreed to testify agst him #ARnews


More ...

https://twitter.com/chanleysha

Chanley Shá Painter Retweeted
Marci Manley ‏@Marci_Manley · 7h
Lowery: I didn't physically kill her but I played part in it because I knew about it.
James: you pleaded to murder b/c you knew about it?

Wow. Stating he played a part in it because he KNEW? What? Knew and failed to inform LE? How would his statement work out???

From Jan 13, 2:33 above:
"...her death was accidental during a sex act with Lowery. ..."

Is this now supposed to be the new acceptable norm for rape and murder?
We are currently hearing this alibi being used in Ashley Olsen's murder trial in Italy:

https://cm.netteller.com/login2008/Authentication/Views/Login.aspx?fi=communityfirstbank&bn=e4539508481649f9&burlid=68d5ae270088da8f