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State of Arkansas v.
Date: 05-19-2026
Case Number: 26CR-24-984
Judge: ralph C. Ohm
Court: Circuit Court, Garland County, Arkansas
Plaintiff's Attorney: Garland County, Alabama, District Attorney's Office
Defendant's Attorney:
Description:
Hot Springs, Arkansas, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with theft of property over $5,000.
Reported by Kent Morlan
The State alleged that between July 1, 2021, and August 22, 2024, Gray stole a 2011 Bayliner ski boat from Wesley Burnett.
At trial, Burnett testified he owned a 2011 Bayliner Bowrider boat and that in June 2021, the engine stopped working because the engine and manifolds were cracked. He explained that he contacted Gray about repairing the engine and manifolds and that in July, he transported the boat to Gray’s house for Gray to assess it for repairs. Burnett stated that in October, Gray told him that the repair costs would be $6,600 for parts and $1,200 for labor and that he could pay the labor costs when the job was completed. Burnett stated that in November, he paid Gray $6,600 in cash for the parts, including a new engine. Burnett explained that for almost three years, he communicated with Gray through text messages and phone calls about making the repairs. He testified that Gray sometimes responded that he was working on the boat, but Gray also frequently did not respond. The State introduced text messages between Burnett and Gray from 2021 through 2024.
Burnett stated that in late 2023, he sent Gray a text message that stated, “This is getting pretty ridiculous. Actually, it’s well beyond ridiculous. I guess I’m gonna report the boat as stolen.” He stated that Gray responded, “That wouldn’t be a smart thing to do.” Burnett responded, “You had [the boat] for over two and a half years, and I’m tired of you ignoring my text and calls. So I’m done with it.” He further stated that in late 2023 and early 2024, he sent Gray multiple messages asking to pick up the boat, but Gray did not respond.
Burnett explained that Gray never returned the boat, and after he reported the situation to the police, the police recovered the boat at Gray’s daughter’s house in August 2024. Burnett stated that he did not know the boat was at Gray’s daughter’s house, and he did not know where Gray’s daughter lived. He further stated that the boat was in bad condition and did not have an engine.
Reported by Kent Morlan
The State alleged that between July 1, 2021, and August 22, 2024, Gray stole a 2011 Bayliner ski boat from Wesley Burnett.
At trial, Burnett testified he owned a 2011 Bayliner Bowrider boat and that in June 2021, the engine stopped working because the engine and manifolds were cracked. He explained that he contacted Gray about repairing the engine and manifolds and that in July, he transported the boat to Gray’s house for Gray to assess it for repairs. Burnett stated that in October, Gray told him that the repair costs would be $6,600 for parts and $1,200 for labor and that he could pay the labor costs when the job was completed. Burnett stated that in November, he paid Gray $6,600 in cash for the parts, including a new engine. Burnett explained that for almost three years, he communicated with Gray through text messages and phone calls about making the repairs. He testified that Gray sometimes responded that he was working on the boat, but Gray also frequently did not respond. The State introduced text messages between Burnett and Gray from 2021 through 2024.
Burnett stated that in late 2023, he sent Gray a text message that stated, “This is getting pretty ridiculous. Actually, it’s well beyond ridiculous. I guess I’m gonna report the boat as stolen.” He stated that Gray responded, “That wouldn’t be a smart thing to do.” Burnett responded, “You had [the boat] for over two and a half years, and I’m tired of you ignoring my text and calls. So I’m done with it.” He further stated that in late 2023 and early 2024, he sent Gray multiple messages asking to pick up the boat, but Gray did not respond.
Burnett explained that Gray never returned the boat, and after he reported the situation to the police, the police recovered the boat at Gray’s daughter’s house in August 2024. Burnett stated that he did not know the boat was at Gray’s daughter’s house, and he did not know where Gray’s daughter lived. He further stated that the boat was in bad condition and did not have an engine.
Outcome:
Convicted and affirmed.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of State of Arkansas v.?
The outcome was: Convicted and affirmed.
Which court heard State of Arkansas v.?
This case was heard in Circuit Court, Garland County, Arkansas, AR. The presiding judge was ralph C. Ohm.
Who were the attorneys in State of Arkansas v.?
Plaintiff's attorney: Garland County, Alabama, District Attorney's Office.
When was State of Arkansas v. decided?
This case was decided on May 19, 2026.