On November 26, 2017, 28-year-old Kenneth Allen Houseman from Leachville, Arkansas, was fatally shot at a residence on Greene County Road 419 in Marmaduke, Arkansas. The incident occurred at a home owned by Steven Alan Goodman, a resident of Marmaduke. Goodman called 911 to report the shooting, and upon deputies' arrival, he was found sitting at the top of the stairs, sliding an AR-15 rifle down the steps.
Following the incident, Goodman was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, first-degree battery, and first-degree terroristic threatening. However, during the trial, the jury acquitted Goodman of all charges except for third-degree domestic battery. The jury recommended a $2,500 fine for the domestic battery charge, with no jail time, and Judge Brent Davis signed off on the recommended sentence, granting Goodman two days of credit for time served.
The case drew significant attention due to the initial murder charges and the subsequent acquittal. The jury's decision highlighted the complexities involved in the case, including the evidence presented and the legal arguments made during the trial. The outcome underscored the challenges in prosecuting cases involving self-defense claims and the discretion exercised by juries in determining verdicts based on the evidence presented.
