WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. — A press release from the district’s prosecuting attorney detailed the conviction of an Imboden man on a rape charge Tuesday afternoon in Lawrence County. Below is the full release:
On December 10, 2024, after a day-long trial, a Lawrence County jury found James Sydney Humes of Imboden guilty of rape. They then recommended a sentence of 25 years in prison, for which he must serve 17.5 years before becoming eligible for parole.
Deputy Prosecutor Jay Scurlock prosecuted the case from start to finish, which was defended by Ben Bristow of Jonesboro. The case was investigated by the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, and Chief Deputy Eric Cheatham helped secure the verdict. Jennifer Broadway assisted Jay Scurlock in all phases of prosecution, and Celea Vankirk served as the victim advocate. VanKirk’s help was vital, as she established a strong relationship with the victim and helped her to move forward. The victim did an outstanding job and displayed bravery during a relentless cross-examination.
“Jay’s closing argument was superb. During voir dire, many jurors had stated they were not comfortable convicting anyone if the State just presented just one witness to the crime. Deputy Prosecutor Jay Scurlock reasoned with them that many sex crimes would go unpunished if juries expected more than one witness in sex cases. I think this was crucial,” said Devon Holder, the Prosecuting Attorney for the Third Judicial District.
Holder continued: “Deputy Scurlock continues to work hard to protect the citizens of Lawrence County on a daily basis. We are lucky to have him.”
press release
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