First-degree murder suspect absent at Madison County trial
Posted on Thursday, September 21, 2006
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/167301/
HUNTSVILLE — Madison County deputies searched for Lisa Ann Rivers on Wednesday after the first-degree murder defendant didn’t show up for trial.
Rivers, 38, a licensed practical nurse who lives near Hindsville, is accused of shooting Melvin G. Burks Jr. on Jan. 4. Burks, 32, lived in Springdale and cared for Rivers’ invalid grandfather.
Jury selection and opening arguments were set to begin Wednesday morning, but Rivers’ absence prompted Circuit Judge Mary Ann Gunn to dismiss the 78-member jury pool by 9: 15, said Tim Hall, Rivers’ attorney. Hall stood in the Madison County Courthouse hallway Wednesday morning, ready to give an opening statement in Rivers’ defense.
“It’s a surprise,” Hall said. “She was in the county yesterday. I certainly hope she’s all right.”
Madison County Sheriff Phillip Morgan said deputies in Madison, Carroll, Benton and Washington counties and the Arkansas State Police were searching for Rivers. His office had warned other Northwest Arkansas police agencies to look out for Rivers and boyfriend Kevin Cain, 32.
Officers were told to approach the pair cautiously because Cain was believed to be carrying a handgun, Morgan said.
“She’s killed one guy,” Mor- gan said. “She could kill somebody else.”
Investigators say Rivers shot Burks once in the chest at her home on County Road 7615.
Rivers told investigators she accidentally shot Burks after she accused him of stealing from her grandfather. Rivers said she didn’t know the gun was loaded.
Rivers originally was released from jail on her own recognizance the day of the shooting. She was arrested Jan. 9 on a first-degree murder charge and posted $ 250, 000 bond.
“A quarter of a million dollars generally has kept people in place,” said John Threet, Madison County chief deputy prosecuting attorney. In January, Madison County Prosecuting Attorney Terry Jones defended his decision to allow her release on Jan. 4 by saying Rivers has a steady job and strong community and family ties, including being the primary caretaker for her bedridden grandfather and 8-year-old daughter. Morgan said Rivers’ grandfather is now in an elderly-care facility and the daughter is believed to be with her father. Madison County sheriff ’s Capt. Robert Boyd said his agency then received about 40 phone calls from people complaining about Rivers’ release, with some calls coming from Burks’ family. Once Rivers is found, Threet said, she will face an arraignment for failing to appear for trial before a new trial date is set.
To contact this reporter: cmorasch@arkansasonline. com