Arkansas murder trial underway for former Hawaii man

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Arkansas (HawaiiNewsNow/KFSM) – The trial of a former Big Island man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend and Kealakehe High School classmate is underway in Washington County, Arkansas.

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Kacey Jennings is charged with capital murder in the 2022 death of Allison Castro. He is also accused of abusing a corpse, tampering with evidence and theft.

In opening statements, prosecutors and defense attorneys told jurors what to expect in the coming weeks, but neither side denied Jennings shot and killed Castro.

Prosecutors alleged Jennings dismembered Castro, sold her belongings and recorded videos admitting to shooting her with a shotgun. Statements made in court said videos found on Jennings’ phone show him saying he shot Castro in the chest and head, dismembered her body and disposed of her remains in different locations.

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Prosecutors also claimed Jennings sold some of Castro’s belongings on Facebook Marketplace and used her credit card to buy cleaning supplies.

The defense argued Jennings is not a murderer and said Castro’s death was an accident, not murder. The defense also noted Jennings previously served in the military and was honorably discharged, and said he accidentally killed Castro while attempting to kill himself.

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In court, Judge Joanna Taylor told jurors the case is expected to take weeks.