In the autumn of 2016, a family disturbance in Little Rock, Arkansas, ended in the death of 53-year-old James Danthon Sparkman. A white male, Sparkman was found deceased at a residence on Vega Drive on November 14, 2016. The cause of his death was a fatal shooting.
Initially, the investigation into Sparkman's death led to his 23-year-old son, James Daniel Sparkman.
The younger Sparkman was taken into custody but was released without charges after he claimed the shooting was an act of self-defense. For a time, it seemed as though the case might be closed with no charges filed.
However, as investigators continued to delve into the circumstances surrounding the shooting, additional evidence came to light. This new evidence was substantial enough for authorities to issue a warrant for the arrest of James Daniel Sparkman. In February 2017, he surrendered to the police and was formally charged with first-degree murder in connection with his father's death. He was subsequently transported to the Pulaski County jail and held without bond. Following his arrest, James Daniel Sparkman entered a plea of not guilty to the murder charge.
