Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – May 17, 2024 – After weeks of speculation, JRN has confirmed that there is an active investigation into “the matter of Doug Brimhall” through records released by the Arkansas Supreme Court this week.
This order was the first publicly available document that acknowledges Brimhall as the target of an investigation. Previous documents believed to be linked to Brimhall were completely redacted.
John Dan Kemp, AR Supreme Court Chief Justice, signed an order assigning Judge Robert Edwards to “the matter of Doug Brimhall.” The order, filed Tuesday, May 14, assigns Edwards to “consider any search and/or arrest warrants and to preside over the subsequent case if one is filed in the 2nd Judicial Circuit.” Edwards was a judge for the 17th Circuit Court in Arkansas. He joined the bench in 1991 and retired in 2020.
There have been no charges filed regarding an altercation that allegedly took place in the Sage Meadows subdivision on Saturday, May 4. JRN first reported on May 7 that Circuit Judge-Elect Doug Brimhall had resigned from his position as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, and that he may face charges connected to the alleged altercation.
Sonia Hagood, District 2 Prosecuting Attorney, told JRN this week that she asked the Arkansas Prosecutor Coordinator’s Office to appoint a special prosecutor to handle the case on Monday, May 6, the day before Brimhall resigned from his position in her office. Hagood confirmed to JRN on Tuesday, May 7 that Brimhall had resigned, but she has still not confirmed whether or not Brimhall is under investigation, citing rules of professional conduct.
JRN contacted the Prosecutor Coordinator’s Office inquiring about a case allegedly involving Brimhall. Special Prosecutor Robbie Jones confirmed that he has been appointed to handle “a case,” but declined to confirm what that case is.
Jones told JRN, “I can confirm that I have been appointed as a special prosecutor on an investigation. However, I am unable to speak to the substance or detail of anything related to said investigation. The rules of professional conduct prevent me from making any extrajudicial statements of that sort, and I am consequently not able to comment on the rest of your questions.”
When asked for an update on “the Brimhall case,” Jonesboro Police Department Public Information Specialist Sally Smith told JRN, “This is still listed as an active investigation. A very preliminary report was submitted to the special prosecutor, and the investigation is ongoing. We interviewed the suspect (not identified) today (Monday, May 13) and will forward that to the prosecutor in the coming days.”
JRN requested recordings of the 911 call made for “the Brimhall case” as well as the 911 center’s call log for the same call under provisions of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
The audio furnished to us appears to be a 911 call made by a female who identifies herself as Lark Montgomery, believed to be Brimhall’s ex-wife. The 911 call was made on Saturday afternoon, May 4. During the call, the caller believed to be Lark Montgomery informs the dispatcher that a minor “had been assaulted by her father overnight at her home.” The caller identified herself as the girl’s “former stepmother” and said the girl’s “stepmother had brought her to me to get her out of the home.”
Here’s a PDF version of the 911 call log.
Based on the 911 call, the alleged altercation happened overnight, sometime late Friday, May 3 or early Saturday, May 4. Police weren’t notified until Saturday afternoon, May 4 during the 911 call placed by the person believed to be Montgomery. JPD Public Information Specialist Sally Smith said, “We did not respond to the initial incident, but we were notified the next day.” Smith added, “We (JPD) did not interview the victim (not identified); that was performed by CAC (Children’s Advocacy Center).”
JRN is requesting updates about this case daily from Jonesboro Police, the prosecutor’s office, and the special prosecutor.