TERRICA HENDRIX
Editor
ASHDOWN – The 40-year-old woman accused of fatally shooting a Little River County teenager made her first appearance in circuit court Tuesday.
Tracie Dierks, of Wallace, walked into the Little River Circuit Courtroom with her head down. Dierks is accused of shooting and killing 17-year-old Caitlin Caskey Saturday evening in Little River County at a birthday party at Dierks’ home.
Ninth Judicial West District Prosecutor Bryan L. Chesshir called two Arkansas State Police Investigators to the stand to testify in Dierks’ probable cause hearing.
ASP Investigator John Rhone testified that on Sat., Jan. 23, the “Little River Sheriff’s Department responded to a shooting and found an unresponsive female on the floor.” Rhone added that there was a partying “going on at the residence” and that “alcohol was served” to minors. He stated that Caskey was shot in the chest with an AR-15.
Chesshir also called ASP Criminal Investigator Hayes McWhirter to the stand. McWhirter stated that “most of the people I interviewed said Mrs. Dierks met them at the door with an AR-15.” He added that there was a “cooler with fruit punch” and “gummy bears (allegedly) soaked in alcohol.” He said that Dierks would meet the teenage party-goers at the door with the AR-15 and ask them if they would notify the police because alcohol was being served.
Circuit Judge Tom Cooper found probable cause for Dierks’ arrest. Her bond is set at $100,000 and the judge ordered Dierks to appear on Feb. 2.
Chesshir told the court that he would need two weeks before filing charges pending the results of various tests and lab results.
Caskey was a junior at Foreman High school and her mother is a teacher at the Foreman School District.
An account is now open at Regions Bank for Sonia Walker Caskey. The account is in her name and will be used to help with any expenses she may have to cover for her daughter’s funeral. You may donate at any Regions Bank location under Sonia Caskey’s name.
