GUILTY AR - Sydney Sutherland, 25, found deceased, Jackson Co., went for a jog, 19 Aug 2020 *ARREST* #2

[Seattle1]

Sources say plea deal has been negotiated against man accused of killing Sydney Sutherland | KLRT - FOX16.com

Posted: Sep 30, 2021 / 03:56 PM CDT / Updated: Sep 30, 2021 / 03:56 PM CDT

Quake Lewellyn
CR: Jackson County Sheriff Lucas

Sydney Sutherland

Credit: Jackson County Sheriff’s Office


JACKSON COUNTY, Ark. – The man charged in the kidnapping, rape and murder of an Arkansas woman is expected to be in court Friday after negotiating a plea deal with prosecutors, according to sources close to the case.

Quake Lewellyn, 29, faces capital murder, kidnapping, rape and abuse of a corpse charges after Sydney Sutherland, 25 at the time, was found dead after going for a run in August of 2020.

Multiple sources tell KARK 4 News anchor Mitch McCoy that Lewellyn will appear in court Friday after a negotiated plea deal was made earlier Thursday. The details of the plea deal have not been publicly released yet. It is important to note, the plea deal is not finalized until Lewellyn is in court.

Quake Lewellyn’s lawyers prep death penalty defense, file motion to change venue in Sydney Sutherland kidnapping, murder case
In May, Lewellyn’s defense team, including prominent Little Rock lawyers Bill James and Jeff Rosenzweig, filed 48 different motions in Jackson County Circuit Court ahead of what was expected to be a death penalty case.

 

[Seattle1]

Inside murder mom culture where web sleuths probe cases like Gabby Petito

 

[diggndeeperstill]

It will be interesting to know what and if that deal is. I would think they have plenty for conviction. Thoughts?

 

[mlhenn]

Source: Quake Lewellyn reaches plea deal with prosecutors

38 mins ago


Quake Lewellyn of Jonesboro is charged with capital murder, kidnapping, rape, and abuse of a corpse in the August 2020 death of Sutherland.

A source close to the case who asked not to be identified confirmed Lewellyn will appear in court Oct. 1 at 1 p.m. to enter his plea. The details have not been released, and the deal will not be official until the judge accepts it.

The prosecutor had said he would “absolutely” pursue the death penalty.


Region 8 News will have live team coverage of Friday’s court appearance.

 

[diggndeeperstill]

Source: Quake Lewellyn reaches plea deal with prosecutors

38 mins ago


Quake Lewellyn of Jonesboro is charged with capital murder, kidnapping, rape, and abuse of a corpse in the August 2020 death of Sutherland.

A source close to the case who asked not to be identified confirmed Lewellyn will appear in court Oct. 1 at 1 p.m. to enter his plea. The details have not been released, and the deal will not be official until the judge accepts it.

The prosecutor had said he would “absolutely” pursue the death penalty.


Region 8 News will have live team coverage of Friday’s court appearance.

Why a plea then? Could they think he was responsible for another murder? Would sparing the details warrant a plea to life in prison? :MOO

 

[mlhenn]

Would sparing the details warrant a plea to life in prison? :MOO

Honestly, this is the only thing that crossed my mind as to why…surely more answers after tomorrow’s court appearance.

 

[Seattle1]

The death penalty is not really 100% guaranteed. Although I think the prosecutor and the family would like for QL to be sentenced to death, AR lost the death penalty before and even after it was supposed to be reinstated mid 70's I think, it still took years before the death penalty made it through the Supreme Court before it could make it back on the AR state books.

Perhaps the state and family will agree to a sentence of life in prison in exchange for QN's guilty plea and no trial, no change of venue, etc.

 

[mlhenn]

The death penalty is not really 100% guaranteed. Although I think the prosecutor and the family would like for QL to be sentenced to death, AR lost the death penalty before and even after it was supposed to be reinstated mid 70's I think, it still took years before the death penalty made it through the Supreme Court before it could make it back on the AR state books.

Perhaps the state and family will agree to a sentence of life in prison in exchange for QN's guilty plea and no trial, no change of venue, etc.

Agreed; the death penalty isn’t guaranteed. I personally was just surprised hearing about the plea deal and curious to what it entails. (Seeing that the prosecutor and Sydney’s parents openly pushing for it).
AR did “lose” the death penalty when Gov. Rockefeller took office in ‘67. His time as gov ended in ‘71 and AR then quickly reinstated the death penalty. (Only to be halted by the supreme courts ruling). That being said, living here in AR, I’d consider it a “pro death penalty” state if that makes sense. IMO.

 

[diggndeeperstill]

I will be in court Friday covering what sources tell me is a plea deal for Quake Lewellyn in the rape and killing of #SydneySutherland. If the judge allows media to tweet, I'll send live updates on Twitter. Follow me: @MitchellMcCoy
Log In or Sign Up to View

 

[diggndeeperstill]

I’ll be in court later today Per sources: Plea deal negotiated for Quake Lewellyn, 14 months after murder of #SydneySutherland.

What we know about plea deal: kark.com/crime/sources-…

In March, Sydney’s mom told me Lewellyn gave her a hug during search: kark.com/crime/he-gave-…
https://twitter.com/mitchellmccoy/status/1443893623767044108?s=21

 

[Seattle1]

[URL='https://twitter.com/MitchellMcCoy']Mitchell McCoy@MitchellMcCoy[/URL]
I’ll be in court later today Per sources: Plea deal negotiated for Quake Lewellyn, 14 months after murder of #SydneySutherland. What we know about plea deal: https://kark.com/crime/sources-say-plea-deal-has-been-negotiated-against-man-accused-of-killing-sydney-sutherland/…

In March, Sydney’s mom told me Lewellyn gave her a hug during search: https://kark.com/crime/he-gave-me-a-hug-family-of-sydney-sutherland-tells-all-shares-thoughts-on-her-accused-killer/…



4:00 AM · Oct 1, 2021

 

[diggndeeperstill]

https://twitter.com/MitchellMcCoy/status/1443988680624984068?s=20
Judge has ruled against cameras and audio recording in the courtroom. Judge will allow live tweeting. #SydneySutherland #ARNews

 

[diggndeeperstill]

https://twitter.com/MitchellMcCoy/status/1443989461981962252?s=20





Mitchell McCoy
@MitchellMcCoy
·
2m

#SydneySutherland’s family has arrived. #ARNews

 

[diggndeeperstill]

sorry this one is a bit out of order.


Mitchell McCoy
@MitchellMcCoy
·
25m

Jackson County Sheriff David Lucas confirms Quake Lewellyn has arrived to the courthouse. We are told he’s expected in court at 1pm for a plea deal in the #SydneySutherland case. Updates to come. #ARNews

 

[diggndeeperstill]

A story from September 17th about an event the next day. We didn't have it in the thread and it is so beautiful I wanted to add.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=436794251108147

CELEBRATING SYDNEY: A mother will always remember the day her child was born. Birthdays are meant to be celebrated. Maggy Sutherland spoke candidly about this whole year without Sydney on Region 8 News Mid-Day. The struggles, the people who helped her along the way. Tomorrow, those same friends, family and people from all over the area will gather to celebrate the life of a young woman lost way too soon.
She should be here. Sydney should be here celebrating birthday #26 tomorrow.
Finish Sydney's Run tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. at ASU-Newport. Support the memorial scholarship that will help future nurses for years to come. Sydney's legacy lives on...

 

[diggndeeperstill]

https://twitter.com/MitchellMcCoy/status/1443993111517175821?s=20
Mitchell McCoy
@MitchellMcCoy
·
1m

Media has arrived into the courtroom. There’s heavy security with Sheriff’s deputies and Newport police officers. They’re adjusting courtroom with microphone because Maggy Sutherland, Sydney’s mom, is slated to give Victim Impact Statement. #SydneySutherland #ARNews

https://twitter.com/MitchellMcCoy/status/1443993995970031619?s=20
Mitchell McCoy
@MitchellMcCoy

Right now- it’s us (KARK4 & FOX16) and the Jonesboro TV station. #SydneySutherland #ARNews

 

[diggndeeperstill]

https://twitter.com/MitchellMcCoy/status/1443997544858718239?s=20
Mitchell McCoy
@MitchellMcCoy
·
https://twitter.com/MitchellMcCoy/status/1443997544858718239
MOMENTS AGO: Quake Lewellyn, the man charged in the kidnapping, rape and murder of Sydney Sutherland, has been escorted into the courtroom. His hair is significantly shorter from booking date, he’s clean-shaven and has lost a lot of weight. #SydneySutherland #ARNews

 

[diggndeeperstill]

https://twitter.com/MitchellMcCoy/status/1443997994752348179?s=20

Mitchell McCoy
@MitchellMcCoy
3m

Lewellyn entered the courtroom with his attorneys and what appears to be family members. Several minutes later, Sydney Sutherland’s family was escorted in from opposite side.


https://twitter.com/MitchellMcCoy/status/1443998380640903168?s=20

Mitchell McCoy
@MitchellMcCoy
2m

On the plaintiffs side- nearly everyone is wearing pink (Sydney’s favorite color). 60+ people. On the defense side- there’s roughly 10 or so people. #SydneySutherland #ARNews

 

[diggndeeperstill]

https://twitter.com/MitchellMcCoy/status/1443998824347881473?s=20
Mitchell McCoy
@MitchellMcCoy
·
2m

Lewellyn has not made eye contact with anyone. We are waiting on judge to begin hearing. #SydneySutherland #ARNews

 

[diggndeeperstill]

https://twitter.com/MitchellMcCoy/status/1443999191555051524?s=20
Mitchell McCoy
@MitchellMcCoy
·
1m

Judge has arrived. Court in session. #SydneySutherland #ARNews