Overview

• The July 30 ruling by a Benton County Circuit Court judge allows prosecutors to redact witness names and personal information before sharing evidence with defense counsel.
• The teen defendant pleaded not guilty on July 29 to charges in the shooting death of a Rogers man.
• Prosecutors allege the fatal July shooting was tied to local gang activity, heightening concerns over potential witness intimidation.
• Pretrial proceedings remain ongoing with further hearings and motions scheduled to address evidence disclosure and other procedural matters.
• The decision underscores Arkansas courts’ broader practice of balancing defendants’ discovery rights with protective measures in violent crime and gang-related cases.