CLARKSVILLE, Ark. — Jurors heard Monday that a Coal Hill man accused of killing a 68-year-old Clarksville man at a city park admitted to investigators that he shot the man twice — once in the chest and again in the back — after becoming nervous during what prosecutors described as a brief encounter.
The first day of Colton Taylor Contant’s first-degree murder trial began Monday at the Johnson County Courthouse. Contant, 26, is charged in the Nov. 11, 2025, death of Kenneth E. Michaels, who was found dead beside his car at Coal Hill City Park.
On Veterans Day 2025, a 911 caller reported hearing gunshots at the park and seeing a man on the ground while another person ran from the area. Coal Hill Officer Jackson Pyron arrived minutes later and saw a suspect fleeing toward a nearby residence.
Monday morning was spent selecting a jury, which was seated around 11:30 a.m. Attorneys questioned potential jurors about the presumption of innocence and whether they would hold it against Contant if he chose not to testify.
Contant appeared in court in a button-up shirt and slacks, with no visible restraints.
Chief Deputy Prosecutor Heather Patton, who is taking the lead for the state, told jurors in opening statements that Michaels regularly walked at Coal Hill City Park for exercise and recreation.
Patton said Michaels had gone to the park to walk that afternoon when he encountered Contant.
According to the state, Contant later told Arkansas State Police investigators that Michaels spoke to him, then moved toward his vehicle. Contant became nervous and believed something was wrong.
Patton told jurors there had been no physical fight.
She said Contant admitted opening the passenger-side door of Michaels’ car and shooting him after Michaels “flinched.”
“Mr. Michaels was there to walk,” Patton told the jury.
Patton also told jurors that Contant made statements indicating he believed he was connected to the CIA.
The defense entered trial without having given notice of an affirmative defense. Contant’s attorney, Theodis N. Thompson Jr., had previously filed a witness and exhibit list identifying no defense witnesses or exhibits, while reserving the ability to recall state witnesses or supplement the list.
Thompson’s opening statement Monday was brief. He reminded jurors that prosecutors carry the burden of proving the case beyond a reasonable doubt, that Contant is presumed innocent and that he is not required to prove anything.
Pyron testified that he was already familiar with Contant before the shooting and knew where he lived.
After witnesses pointed officers in the direction the suspect had run, Pyron said he also saw Contant moving toward his home, roughly four blocks from the park.
Another Coal Hill officer testified that when he arrived at the park, he found Michaels face down on the concrete with his feet still inside the vehicle.
Michaels was already dead.
The officer said he left the park to help locate Contant, concerned that he could pose a danger to someone else. Officers established a perimeter around Contant’s residence, and Contant eventually came outside.
The officer testified that Contant had changed clothes and had wet hair with a towel around his neck, appearing as though he had recently showered.
Arkansas State Police Special Agent Erick Riggs gave jurors the most detailed account Monday of what investigators say Contant told them after the shooting.
Riggs testified that Contant said early in the interview that he was with the CIA. According to Riggs, Contant said he did not know Michaels and had never had previous contact with him.
Contant described Michaels saying something similar to “How are you doing today?” He told investigators the encounter made him nervous and gave him the feeling that something was not right.
Riggs said Contant believed Michaels was moving toward his vehicle to get something.
Riggs testified that Contant said he opened the passenger-side door of Michaels’ vehicle and fired across the vehicle, shooting Michaels twice. Contant pointed out where he believed the bullets struck — once in the chest and once in the back.
He never denied shooting Michaels, Riggs testified.
Riggs said the weapon, a Smith & Wesson revolver, was found wrapped inside a jacket in the camper where Contant was staying near his mother’s home. Investigators also found another handgun inside.
Jurors also heard about physical evidence connecting Contant to Michaels’ vehicle.
Riggs testified that investigators collected fingerprints from the passenger side of the car, including near the exterior door handle and the passenger window above it.
Those prints matched Contant, he said.
The fingerprint evidence supported the state’s account that Contant approached the passenger side of Michaels’ vehicle, opened the door and fired through the car while Michaels was on the driver’s side.
The prosecution will continue presenting its case when the trial resumes Tuesday.
