Tulsa Man Charged In Death Of Arkansas Lawman

An Oklahoma man has been formally charged with second-degree murder in the death of an Arkansas deputy sheriff who was killed in a traffic accident.

The Texarkana Gazette reported Saturday that 28-year-old Michael Lee Ackart of Tulsa was charged with murder and three counts of aggravated assault in Lafayette County Circuit Court in Lewisville.

Ackart has pleaded not guilty to the charges related to the March 17 death of Lafayette County Chief Deputy Sheriff Pete Richardson.

Authorities say Richardson was driving Ackart to a homeless shelter in Miller County when Ackart reached over and grabbed the steering wheel as Richardson was driving, causing Richardson to swerve into oncoming traffic and leading to a three-vehicle crash.

Ackart's Facebook page lists him as an Owasso High School graduate who recently stayed at the John 3:16 Mission in Tulsa.