An Ozark teen accused of shooting and killing his older sister as she slept pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Wednesday.
Colton Harvey, 15, appeared before Judge William Pearson and was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the death of his sister Candace, according to Prosecutor David Gibbons. A 15-year firearm enhancement was added and will run consecutively with his second-degree murder sentence.
He was charged as an adult. Harvey’s attorney Bill James and family were present for the sentencing, according to Gibbons.
Until Harvey turns 16, he will remain in custody of the state’s Division of Youth Services. After that he will be turned over to the Arkansas Department of Corrections to finish his sentence, Gibbons says.
On Jan. 15, Harvey walked into the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and confessed to the crime, according to the sheriff. Sheriff Anthony Boen says the teens’ parents left their home on Watalula Road to go shopping around eight that morning. Shortly after, Harvey shot his 16-year-old sister three times in the head with a .22 caliber rifle, according to investigators.
Investigators say the teen said he didn’t know why he did it, but seemed remorseful. The parents told investigators the siblings never really fought, according to Sheriff Boen.
Few details about the case were released after a judge barred lawyers from speaking publicly. Gibbons says that gag order has since been lifted.
“There was never a precise motive figured out,” Gibbons said Wednesday. “No signs that would alert somebody that this would happen, no quarrels, no fussing and fighting.”
Second degree murder is a Class A felony and carries a sentence of between six and 30 years in prison.
Gibbons says Harvey is parole eligible and could be up for parole in as little as 12 years, depending on behavior.
