Manslaughter Charge for Man Accused in Ward Shooting

LITTLE ROCK, AR - Prosecutors have filed a manslaughter charge against against a Ward businessman who is accused of shooting and killing an employee in his home.

Christopher Reynolds was conducting a meeting at his home last November when Ernest Hoskins, Jr. was shot and killed. Two weeks later, Reynolds was arrested and charged with first degree murder.

According to the arrest affidavit, Reynolds told investigators that for part of the meeting he held a gun pointed at Hoskins’ head.

We were bantering back and forth. I picked up a Desert Eagle .44 Magnum pistol from behind me. I pointed the pistol at Ernest’s heaing for approximately one minute. I pulled the trigger and the gun did not go off. I then pulled the slide back and a round went in the chamber. I tired to de-cock the hammer on the pistol by pulling the trigger and holding the hammer as it moved forward. The gun then went off and struck Ernest in the face.

Friday, a special prosecutor charged Reynolds with the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Reynolds is due back in court on Monday.