West Memphis man sentenced to 110 years in prison

West Memphis man sentenced to 110 years in prison

Handy charged as habitual felony offender

zach@scottellington.com MARION — Scott Ellington, District Prosecuting Attorney for the Second Judicial District of Arkansas, announces that a West Memphis man was sentenced to 110 years in prison following a two- day jury trial.

Crittenden County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Tom Young tried Lawrence Handy, 37, of West Memphis on a single count of residential burglary Wednesday and Thursday at the Crittenden County Courthouse in Marion. Jurors found Handy guilty Thursday afternoon.

Circuit Judge Randy Philhours of Paragould followed the jury’s recommendation and sentenced Handy to 60 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections, the maximum sentence available for residential burglary under the Arkansas habitual offender law. Philhours added an additional 50 years after granting the State’s three petitions to revoke Handy’s prior suspended sentences and/or probation.

Ellington expressed his gratitude for Young’s outstanding trial work, as well as the investigative work West Memphis Police Det. Steven Fleming.

“This was one of those cases where we said, ‘This guy has had enough bites at the apple,’” said Ellington. “We are grateful that the jury took this guy off the streets and placed him behind bars where he belongs.”

Handy was remanded to the custody of Crittenden County Sheriff Mike Allen to await transport to the Arkansas Department of Corrections.

From Zach Morrison