The jury trial for a Scott County man charged with first degree murder has been continued with a mental evaluation pending.
On Tuesday, August 4, the attorney for defendant Jared Briley filed notice with the Scott County Circuit Court stating she intends to rely on the defense of mental disease or defect and petitioned the court for a criminal responsibility examination. Judge Jerry Don Ramey ordered the competency hearing.
In March of 2020, Charlene Gilley, 19, was found dead in a rented room at the Southern Nights Motel, 1622 Rice Street in Waldron. Following an investigation by the Special Agents of the Arkansas State Police, Criminal Investigation Division, a warrant was issued for Briley’s arrest. Briley eluded officers over the next 24 hours, but was eventually apprehended on Sunday, March 22.
Briley has pleaded not guilty to first degree murder. His pre-trial hearing is set for Tuesday, December 1, and the jury trial, Tuesday, December 15.
