Former school superintendent beaten, later dies from injuries
Posted on Wednesday, October 15, 2008
FORREST CITY - Dr. James C. Carlton, former Pea Ridge Schools superintendent, died Oct. 6 from injuries sustained in a home invasion Sept. 24 at his home in Hughes, Ark., according to an article in the Forrest City, Ark., Times Herald.
The 68-year-old Hughes High School teacher was attacked and robbed in late September died Oct. 6 at the Med in Memphis, according to St. Francis County Sheriff Bobby May.
Carlton was hired Feb. 9, 1983, as superintendent of schools in Pea Ridge and resigned June 30, 1986, under allegations of financial impropriety.
"Mr. James Carlton died last night," said May Tuesday, Oct. 7. "James Washington, 25, of Hughes, and LaTasha Poney, 27, of Hughes, will now be charged with one count each of capital murder. That carries a possible sentence of death or life without parole."
Both Washington and Poney were arrested for the attack, which took place Wednesday, Sept. 24, at Carlton's home. The SFC Sheriff's Department reported that Carlton answered a knock at his door about 10: 30 p.m. and saw Poney standing there. Carlton told police that as soon as he saw Poney, Washington allegedly came through his door and began attacking him with a baseball bat.
Washington and Poney took an undetermined amount of money and two cell phones from Carlton, according to deputies. Both fled the scene after allegedly stealing Carlton's vehicle, which was later recovered.
After Poney was arrested, she reportedly told deputies in a voluntary statement that once Washington began to attack Carlton, she asked him to stop, at which time Poney told deputies Washington threatened her with the bat.
Carlton received injuries to his head, arms and legs. He was flown from Hughes to the Med in Memphis where he died.
Both Poney and Washington were originally arrested on Thursday, Sept. 25. They were charged then with one count each of aggravated robbery and theft of property.
The SFCSD is contracted to handle the policing in Hughes.
"We are thinking that a possible motivation for the attack was that Carlton had recently won some money at the casino," said May. "Carlton is wellliked in the community. I know the school district is sad to hear that this happened. He did know Poney previously because she was his housekeeper. We believe that Poney was the one who set this up because she would know about him winning the money. Both Poney and Washington have confessed to the robbery and they are in the SFC Jail."
According to a Sheriff's Office spokesman, the two are being held without bond. The amount of money stolen was minimal, he said.
May stated that the Carlton vehicle was recovered about five blocks away from the scene behind an apartment complex. The affidavit states that the bat used in the attack was found in a ditch near the vehicle. May also commented that it was unknown how much money was stolen from Carlton.
Funeral arrangements are by Eddie's Family Funeral Home of Melbourne, Ark.
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