Trial date postponed for Sevier County man accused of shooting police officer during chase

De QUEEN, Arkansas – The trial of a man accused of shooting and wounding a police officer during a July 2023 chase has been postponed until December due to a scheduling conflict.

Kenneth Lee Smith, 38, of De Queen, is charged with attempted capital murder, four counts of attempted murder, aggravated assault and aggravated burglary.

According to court records, Smith was scheduled to appear in court this month. However, his attorney, Eric Marks, requested an adjournment earlier this month because there was a scheduling conflict in another county that could not be rescheduled. The request was granted by Sevier County District Judge Tom Cooper, according to court records. According to court records, Smith is now scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 5 and have a hearing on Dec. 16.

Smith remains in the Sevier County Jail on $1 million cash bail.

On July 8, 2023 at approximately 3:55 a.m., Sevier County Sheriff's Office officers were called to a domestic dispute involving a reported shooting at 113 Sweet Home Lane.

Upon arrival, the responding officer was met with gunfire. His patrol unit was hit by several bullets.

When additional officers arrived at the scene, Smith allegedly fled on a motorcycle.

De Queen sheriff's officers and police officers pursued Smith, who allegedly fled at a high rate of speed. During the pursuit, Smith allegedly fired several shots at police while traveling south on State Highway 41 toward Little River County.

A sheriff's office news release said officers disabled Smith's motorcycle after he reached speeds over 90 miles per hour and was traveling south in the northbound lane.

During the chase, Smith reportedly fired shots that struck patrol cars driven by a sheriff's office deputy and De Queen Police Lt. Chad Bradshaw. Bradshaw was also struck in the shoulder.

The Arkansas State Police, the 9th Western Judicial District Drug Task Force, the Little River County Sheriff's Office, the Arkansas Highway Police and the Arkansas Department of Corrections arrested Smith after a manhunt lasting several hours.