Man pleads guilty in death of Lonoke Co. business owner | News

LONOKE COUNTY, Ark. (KTHV) - The final chapter is now over in a high profile Cabot murder case. We're talking about the death of pawn shop owner Joe Pipkin last April. The latest in this case is a guilty plea and a life sentence without parole for David Derreberry, according to Lonoke County Prosecuting Attorney Chuck Graham.

Derreberry, and his wife Jacklyn, were both charged in this robbery/ homicide-turned arson case. Jacklyn already pleaded guilty back in September, getting 14 years in prison. We talked with Pipkin's family Wednesday night, with the legal chapter now behind them.

There are a few signs outside, like flowers, a cross and a flag at half staff. And more inside the KBC Pawn Shop in Cabot.

"These were the original shelves and racks that were in here, you can still some soot and fire damage," J.D. Douglas said.

All the signs mark a nightmare day last April for Joe Pipkin's family.

"I'm still kind of numb to it, really hasn't sank in to that point yet," Douglas said.

Pipkin's son-in-law, J.D. Douglas, is still feeling the loss of the 61-year-old store owner.  Authorities found his body in his shop after a fire April 4^th, 2011. The case wrapped up on Tuesday.

"Thank goodness he did accept the plea finally and he's gone to prison with life without parole. We don't have to worry about that anymore," Douglas said.

Douglas said David Derreberry did apologize in court.

"Did he seem sincere?" THV's Max Seigle asks.

"Like I said, it's hard to tell what somebody is really feeling in their heart. I hope for his sake that it was sincere and he's made right," Douglas said.

One thing that Douglas knows for sure is that he must rebuild Pipkin's shop. And do it to honor a hardworking man planning to retire and travel the country with his wife in the days after his death.

"It's been here for 15 years, it's just been a family business and I hope to continue and carry on his name in it," Douglas said.

Douglas said it was always a dream of his to work with Pipkin while he was alive, and now he considers it an even greater honor carrying on his shop. There's no specific timeline yet for when it will reopen.

As we mentioned earlier, the other suspect in this case was Jacklyn Derreberry. Prosecutors say she arranged to sell the items from the pawn shop that her husband had sold.  

Officials say Derreberry pled guilty to capital murder, aggravated robbery, arson and 26 counts of theft of property for stealing firearms.

Derreberry is sentenced to life without parole.

Officials tell Today's THV that he's been assessed the following fees as well:

• $150 court cost
• $20 booking fee
• $250 DNA fee
• $150 public defender fee
• $45 jail support fee