In the small town of Dover, Arkansas, the life of Joshua David Garner, a 40-year-old White/Caucasian male, came to a tragic and violent end on March 1, 2014. The incident unfolded inside a home he shared with his girlfriend, April Derrick, and her children. The living situation was complicated, as the residence was also home to Joshua's ex-wife and her children.
On that fateful day, tensions within the household escalated.
According to April Derrick's account to authorities, she had attempted to evict Joshua from the home. She claimed that he responded by threatening to kill her. In the ensuing confrontation, Derrick fatally shot Garner. The home that was once a shared space of a blended and complex family arrangement became a crime scene.
Following the shooting, April Derrick was taken into custody by law enforcement. She was subsequently arrested and faced the serious charge of first-degree murder in connection with Joshua David Garner's death. The legal proceedings that followed would ultimately see her plead guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter.
As a result of her plea, April Derrick was sentenced to 10 years in prison for her role in the fatal shooting of her boyfriend. The case concluded with a resolution that saw the sole suspect held accountable for the death of Joshua David Garner, bringing a somber end to a distressing chapter for the families involved.
