Convicted killer’s mom heading to prison

FULTON COUNTY, Ark. (KAIT) - A woman arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder will spend 20 years in prison on a lesser charge.

Judge Tim Weaver sentenced 42-year-old Jennifer Harnden to 240 months in the Arkansas Department of Corrections on Monday after she entered a negotiated plea of guilty to hindering apprehension or prosecution.

She had originally been charged with murder in the 2021 shooting death of Davidlee Stansbury.

Stansbury’s family said they would have preferred a more harsh penalty, but did agree to the plea deal.

“We agreed to the plea deal that was made yesterday more for the allotment of time that she’ll get. They did drop it from conspiracy charges to the hindering justice charges,” said Davidlee’s mother, Alicia Brewer. “It was a back and forth for a little bit, but we did finally agree to that and we she took the 20-year plea deal.”

Stansbury’s parents remember Davidlee as a light in his community.

They say there is nothing anyone can do to bring their son back, but knowing those who were involved in his death have been charged makes the burden a little lighter.

“No sentence is heavy enough,” said David and Alicia Brewer. “Nothing will bring him back and nothing would ever be enough for us.”

Two others, including Harnden’s son, were also arrested in connection with the crime.

When asked about Harnden’s sentencing, the family was clear in their feelings.

“For her, I hope her prison sentence is filled with every sadness that can be bestowed upon her. Every agony she can feel. She’ll never feel what we feel, and I don’t wish that on anybody. The loss of a child is the worst thing you can go through.”

In July 2022, a judge sentenced Travis Barker to 30 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder.

A few months later, in October, a jury sentenced Harnden’s son, Jacoby Goehler, to life in prison after finding him guilty of the death of Stansbury. He also received an additional 15 years in ADC on a weapons enhancement charge.