The trial for Lovell Govan, a Huttig man facing charges including attempted capital murder and kidnapping began last Thursday and concluded Friday. The jury, according to court records, found Govan guilty of charges including attempted capital murder with firearm enhancement, first-degree battery, four counts of kidnapping, theft of property and terroristic threatening.
Although full verdict and sentencing results were not available in court records Monday morning, KTVE 10 reported Monday morning that the jury found Govan not guilty of a second count of attempted capital murder, residential burglary, and aggravated assault; the trial concluded Friday with Govan being sentenced to 35 years in prison.
Govan's charges stemmed from an incident that began on August 18, 2020, in which Govan held a then 39-year-old woman and her then 17-year-old daughter hostage at their home in Strong and shot each of them several times. A third victim who went to the house with her son and held for a period was able to escape, according to court records.
Govan fled the scene of the crime to Louisiana and was arrested a few days later in Shreveport before being returned to Union County to face the charges.
The trial faced several delays due in part to Govan being ordered unfit to proceed in late 2021; he was later deemed fit to proceed in mid-2022.
Govan was represented by attorney Andrew Best and the case and trial prosecution was led by 13th Judicial District deputy prosecuting attorney Carla Gibson, according to court records, and the trial was presided over by 13th Circuit Division 4 Judge Jim Andrews.