HARRISBURG, Ark. — Circuit Judge Pam Honeycutt has lowered the bond for a Wynne native charged with negligent homicide in the death of a Marked Tree police officer.
Kareem Jones, 28, now of Marked Tree, has been in the Poinsett County Jail in Harrisburg since his arrest in late July.
A judge initially set Jones’ bond at $1,500, but that amount was later raised to $100,000. In court proceedings Thursday, Honeycutt cut that amount in half – to a $50,000 cash or surety bond.
Jones is accused of running a stop sign in the early morning hours of June 28 at a Marked Tree intersection. He reportedly crashed into the side of a Marked Tree police vehicle. Officer Trevor Howard, who was sitting in the passenger seat of the vehicle, died as a result of injuries sustained in the accident.
The driver, Officer Anthony Johnson, was also injured but is expected to make a full recovery.
Honeycutt said Jones meets the criteria for showing family ties and employment history in lowering his bond. He is charged with negligent homicide, second-degree battery, second-degree criminal mischief, DWI, reckless driving, no insurance and failure to stop at a stop sign.
Jones is expected back in court on Nov. 17.
