HUNTSVILLE, Ark. – Samuel Oliver Simmons, 48, of Madison County, was sentenced to 150 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections on Friday after pleading guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted capital murder in the 2021 shooting deaths of his mother and uncle.
The crimes occurred on May 1, 2021, at the family home on Madison County Road 5675 off Arkansas 23 south of Huntsville. Simmons shot his mother, Mary Marlene Simmons, 65, while she sat in a recliner in the basement living room, and his uncle, Mark Lee Simmons, 66, near the basement kitchen entry. He also shot his father, Richard Simmons, multiple times upstairs, then beat him with a rifle that broke and choked him until he lost consciousness. Richard Simmons survived after being airlifted to Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville.
Richard Simmons called 911 around 5:30 a.m., reporting he had been shot two to three times. Gunshots were heard during the call as deputies from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office arrived. Richard identified his son as the shooter and described his vehicle before being treated. Simmons was arrested later that morning near Huntsville by an Arkansas State Police trooper; he was covered in blood and admitted to the shootings during questioning. He had lived at the home with his parents and uncle.
Simmons pleaded guilty in Washington County Circuit Court before Madison County Circuit Judge Joanna Taylor, avoiding a trial set to begin Monday that could have resulted in the death penalty. Each first-degree murder charge carried a 55-year sentence to run consecutively, along with a 40-year term for attempted capital murder, also consecutive. All included firearms enhancements. He must serve at least 87 years before parole eligibility.
The case faced multiple delays for pretrial motions, forensic evaluations and mental health assessments since Simmons’ arrest. Prosecutors noted the overwhelming evidence would likely have led to conviction at trial.
Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Denis Dean called the plea a life sentence, detailing the brutality: Mary and Mark were killed with a rifle, while Richard endured additional assault. “This is accountability in Madison County,” Dean said.
Washington County Prosecuting Attorney Brandon Carter described the resolution as providing closure for the family, expressing sympathy for Richard, who served as both victim and eyewitness. Madison County Sheriff Ronnie Boyd added that the agreement ensures Simmons is permanently removed from the community.
Richard’s wife, Mark’s spouse, was not home during the incident. Simmons has remained in custody since his arrest.
