A Lincoln man accused of murder waived his right to a jury trial on November 1 in Benton County.
According to a probable-cause statement authorities say William Heffernan shot to death 27-year-old Caleb Shephard at a mobile home park just outside the city limits of Lincoln on January 12, 2018.
According to online court documents, Heffernan, who is now 22 years old, has been charged with a Class A Felony for Murder in the Second Degree; a Class E Felony for Tampering with Physical Evidence in a Felony Prosecution; and an Unclassified Felony for Armed Criminal Action.
Heffernan entered a plea of not guilty during his arraignment on March 7. However, updated court documents say the court was informed Heffernan’s lawyer and the prosecutor have reached a plea agreement, and the three-day jury trial, which was scheduled to begin on November 14, has been canceled.
Instead, a plea hearing has been set to start at 12 p.m. on November 14 at Benton County Circuit Court.