A Hot Springs woman was arrested Tuesday after allegedly shooting her live-in boyfriend in the back during an argument that erupted at their home as she was preparing to move out.
Jane "Mandy" Miranda Miles, 51, of 4178 Highway 290, was taken into custody around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at the residence and charged with first-degree domestic battery, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Miles appeared via video at a plea and arraignment hearing Wednesday morning in Garland County District Court with attorney Larry Honeycutt and pleaded not guilty to the charge. Court records note she indicated she will hire an attorney, but Honeycutt was not the attorney of record yet.
She was initially held without bond, but Judge Ralph Ohm set the bond at $2,500 at the hearing and she was later released. Ohm also issued a court order barring Miles from contact with the victim. A felony review hearing to determine if the case will be bound over to Garland County Circuit Court is now set for March 19.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the Garland County Sheriff's Department received a 911 call at 11 a.m. Tuesday of shots fired with injury at the Highway 290 residence and when deputies responded they located Miles outside the residence.
The victim, identified as Ronald Long, 61, who had suffered a single gunshot wound to the lower back, was located inside the residence. He was transported by LifeNet to an area hospital for treatment.
Investigators arrived a short time later to process the scene. Miles allegedly made a spontaneous statement to investigators that while she was gathering her personal belongings to leave the residence, Long became "very angry."
She stated both she and Long kept loaded handguns on their nightstands. She said she grabbed her handgun and while she was continuing to gather her things, she turned and shot Long.
She reportedly told investigators she and Long had been in an off and on romantic relationship in the past and she had moved back in with him at the beginning of January 2018.
A news release noted investigators had interviewed both Long and Miles about the incident which was still under investigation Wednesday.
Local on 02/01/2018