The Arkansas Supreme Court affirmed the life imprisonment sentence of Shawna Cash, who was convicted of capital murder for fatally running over Pea Ridge Police Officer Kevin Apple in 2021. The court delivered its opinion on February 5, 2026, in *Shawna Cash v. State of Arkansas*, rejecting Cash's appeal on multiple grounds.
Cash was convicted on one count each of capital murder, fleeing, and obstruction of governmental operations, as well as two counts of aggravated assault. She received an aggregate sentence of life imprisonment from the Benton County Circuit Court under Judge Brad Karren.
The fatal incident began on June 26, 2021, when Cash was driving through Rogers in a blue Jeep Cherokee with passenger Elijah Andazola. According to court records, Cash stole mail from Oscar Olvera's mailbox. Olvera followed the pair to a Walgreens parking lot, where he held them at gunpoint and called police. When officers arrived, Cash and Andazola fled the scene.
The Rogers Police Department subsequently issued a notice to be on the lookout for the Jeep Cherokee that had fled from police. Officer Brian Stamps of the Pea Ridge Police Department later spotted the unoccupied vehicle at a gas station. The circumstances that led to Officer Apple's death occurred during the subsequent police response, though the court opinion provides limited detail about the specific events surrounding the fatal encounter.
In her appeal to the Arkansas Supreme Court, Cash challenged three aspects of her trial proceedings. First, she argued that the circuit court abused its discretion by admitting a recorded phone call she made from jail. Second, Cash objected to the prosecutor's remarks during closing arguments, claiming they were improper. Third, she contested the admission of evidence regarding a prior incident involving a stolen key fob.
Justice Barbara W. Webb authored the unanimous opinion affirming Cash's conviction and sentence. The court rejected each of Cash's three arguments for reversal. The opinion noted that because Cash did not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence against her, only a brief recitation of the facts was necessary for the court's analysis.
The court's decision reflects established precedent in Arkansas criminal appeals. When defendants do not contest the sufficiency of evidence supporting their convictions, appellate courts typically focus on procedural and evidentiary issues raised during trial proceedings rather than conducting extensive factual review.
The case represents another example of Arkansas courts' approach to capital murder prosecutions involving the death of law enforcement officers. The state's capital murder statute includes specific provisions for killings of police officers acting in their official capacity, reflecting the legislature's recognition of the particular severity of such crimes.
Cash's conviction required the prosecution to prove beyond reasonable doubt that she intentionally caused Officer Apple's death while he was performing his official duties. The jury's verdict on the capital murder charge indicates they found the evidence sufficient to establish both the intentional nature of the killing and the officer's official status at the time.
The additional charges of fleeing, obstruction of governmental operations, and aggravated assault reflect the broader pattern of criminal conduct surrounding the incident. These charges likely related to Cash's initial flight from police at the Walgreens and subsequent actions during the encounter with law enforcement.
The Arkansas Supreme Court's affirmance means Cash's life sentence stands, and her conviction becomes final unless she seeks federal habeas corpus review. The court's decision also establishes precedent regarding the admissibility of jailhouse phone calls, prosecutorial argument standards, and prior bad act evidence in similar cases.
For the Pea Ridge Police Department and Officer Apple's family, the court's decision provides legal closure to a case that began nearly five years ago. The affirmance confirms that Cash will serve life imprisonment for the capital murder conviction, effectively ensuring she will never be released from prison.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about violence against law enforcement officers and the legal system's response to such crimes. Officer Apple's death represents one of numerous line-of-duty fatalities that occur annually across the United States, underscoring the inherent dangers faced by police officers during routine duties.
Cash's case now joins the body of Arkansas precedent governing capital murder prosecutions and police officer safety. The court's detailed consideration of her evidentiary challenges provides guidance for future cases involving similar procedural questions and prosecutorial conduct issues in capital murder trials involving law enforcement victims.