Man sentenced to life without parole plus 50 years in murder case

JONESBORO, Ark.  – A Mississippi County man was sentenced Friday evening to life in prison plus 50 years for the murder of a Jonesboro man in 2019.

According to Second Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Scott Ellington, a jury found Markus Gentry, 30, of Blytheville guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Lewis C. Gamble.

Jonesboro police said in early 2019 they went to the 1100 block of West Huntington Street after getting a call about the shooting. Gamble was taken to a local hospital, where he later died.

According to court records, police believe Gentry went to the address to confront Gamble about a previous incident that authorities believe led to Gentry shooting Gamble.

A $5 million bond was set in the murder case and authorities said at the time that Gentry had a lengthy criminal history. He received 96 months incarceration after a 2010 conviction for first-degree battery plus a 120-month suspended sentenced after he was found guilty in a terroristic act case, according to Arkansas Court Connect.

The jury reached its verdict around 10 p.m. Feb. 14 in the case, heard by Circuit Judge Cindy Thyer.

In a Facebook post early Saturday, Ellington said he believes the jury made the right decision.