BENTONVILLE — A former Bella Vista police officer was sentenced to 30 days in jail and fined $1,000 on Thursday after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge in connection with the fatal shooting of James Ahern.
Coleman Brackney was charged with manslaughter, a Class C felony punishable with a prison sentence ranging from three to 10 years.
Brackney pleaded guilty to negligent homicide, a Class A misdemeanor, under an agreement attorney Drew Miller reached with Benton County Prosecuting Attorney Van Stone.
A Class A misdemeanor can carry up to a year in jail and a fine up to $1,000.
Brackney shot and killed Ahern on Jan. 20 after a vehicle chase, court documents show.
An Arkansas State Police investigation determined Ahern was shot six times. Investigators said the sixth shot came after Ahern appeared to be surrendering and would not have had use of his right arm because of an earlier round fired by Brackney, according to court documents.
The chase started on Cooper Road while Brackney was questioning individuals about a series of car break-ins, according to court documents.
Brackney said he feared Ahern was trying to kill him with his vehicle, but an affidavit of probable cause states Ahern’s car was never pointed at Brackney’s car.
Brackney was taken from the court in handcuffs and transported to the Benton County Jail to begin serving his sentence.