60 year sentence for West Memphis man in 2016 killing

60 year sentence for West Memphis man in 2016 killing

Howard pleads guilty to manslaughter in deal over shooting of Blair Sims

ralphhardin@gmail.com Facing a murder trial for the death of a Little Rock woman, Jerrold Howard, 31, accepted a plea agreement last Friday in exchange for a 60-year jail sentence.

Howard, a West Memphis resident, was charged with murder for the shooting death of 25-year-old Blair Sims on Dec. 28, 2016.

Howard agreed to a guilty plea on manslaughter charges, as well as one count of felon in possession of a firearm.

According to the prosecution, an argument between Sims and another woman, Alexia Stephens, escalated into a physical altercation.

Howard, described as a close friend of Stephens, intervened, ultimately fatally shooting Sims with a .40-caliber pistol.

Court records indicate a lengthy criminal history for Howard, including prior convictions for drug possession, aggravated assault and first-degree battery.

By Ralph Hardin