The line is open. Finishing up:
* DEATH SENTENCE: A jury in Paragould today sentenced Jerry Lard, 38, to death for the 2011 slaying of Trumann police officer Jonathan Schmidt. He also was sentenced to life for attempted capital murder of another officer and 10 years on a meth charge. Prosecutor Scott Ellington issued a news release after the verdict (jump).
* HOW HOT IS IT? Well, it was 108 at 2:30 p.m., a record by two degrees.
* POLICE BEAT: Police report finding the decomposing body of a man lying near railroad tracks about 10:30 a.m. this morning in the 3300 block of Woodrow. No further details.
DOUBLE HOMICIDE: Police say a man and woman were found dead this afternoon in an apparent double homicide in a home near 28th and Zion in the John Barrow Addition. Channel 7 says a child may also be missing from the home. UPDATE: police have issued an alert for a 12-year-old girl last seen Saturday morning. She is daughter of the slain couple, Bobby and Annette Whitlow, both 65.
Amber Whitlow was last seen wearing knee-length blue jean shorts and a light blue short-sleeve shift.
Police said she was possibly taken from the scene of a homicides.
Amber may be with her brother Antonio Whitlow, 33, of 2820 Zion St., Little Rock, in a 1990s four-door black or blue Lincoln with a chrome luggage rack, chrome trim and chrome wheels.
UPDATE: LRPD said late Saturday:
12 year Amber Whitlow and 33 year old Antonio Whitlow have been located in Memphis, TN. Acting on information received, Memphis police officers located Antonio Whitlow and Amber Whitlow on foot near the Beale Street area of Memphis, TN. Both Amber and Antonio are in police custody in Memphis. Amber Whitlow does not show any signs of physical injury. Little Rock detectives will be traveling to Memphis tonight to pick up both Amber and Antonio
Antonio Whitlow has been charged with murder in the case, the Democrat-Gazette reported.
Here’s the police incident report. Sgt. Cassandra Davis said the child is back in Little Rock, in care of state officials. Antonio Whitlow is in Mempis pending extradition.