Ms. Sarah M. Fennell
May 16, 1983 – February 13, 2009
.
Timeline of Events Documented in Fort Smith Police Department Incident
Report #090004428-00.
10 – 11pm January 24, 2009: Sarah went on a dinner date with Adam J. Kuettel after she got off work. They met at Cheddar’s in Fort Smith.
2 - 3 am: In the early morning hours of January 25, 2009, Adam and Sarah were involved in a violent domestic fight at Amy Mansfield’s apartment; Amy was a co-worker friend of Sarah’s.
3 - 9 am: Adam left the apartment after the domestic assault and returned in different attire 6 hours later. There is no documentation of Adam’s actions after he claimed he left the crime scene, but the police incident report supports that he had changed attire after the fight.
9 am: The next morning, Adam said, he returned to “check” on Sarah and found her lying on the floor, unconscious and unresponsive. He refused to call 911 for the next 4.5 hours or tell anyone where she could be located.
9:15 – 9:30 am: According to Adam’s statement to investigators, he stripped Sarah naked and got into the bathtub with her unconscious body.
9:30 am – 12 noon: Adam continued to commit disgusting acts upon Sarah’s unconscious and unresponsive body. Adam called Sarah’s siblings in Tennessee and told them something was wrong with Sarah. He held the phone to Sarah’s ear after telling them to talk to her. Adam refused their repeated pleas to call 911 immediately. Adam also refused to tell anyone where she was.
12 noon – 1:20 pm: A family member in Arkansas was searching for Sarah’s location.
1:25 pm: The family member finally located Sarah, who was lying naked on the floor of the apartment where she had been assaulted. Adam had to be forced out of the way so Sarah could be taken to the ER, less than a block away.
1:30 pm: Sarah arrived at St. Edwards ER in a coma, mortally wounded. She would live 19 more days. She passed away on February 13, 2009.
Note: All of Sarah’s siblings receiving these barbaric calls from Adam, not knowing if it was a joke or real. What normal person could even fathom that someone would be holding a battered, unconscious, and unresponsive human being for over 4 hours and refuse to call 911 or tell them where she was, so they could send help?
Twelve hours after Sarah was beaten, she arrives at St. Edwards Mercy Emergency Room. Below is what they discovered.
(Click thumbnail to enlarge)
Click here for the complete Report: Emergency Clinical Record RM T2
Below is a St Edwards Mercy clinical report written by Dr. Phillips, Under History of Present Illness,page 1:
The patient was found to have multiple bruises all over her body” Assessment page 2: ” Has had multiple traumatic injury about her body”
(Click thumbnail to enlarge)
Click here for the complete report. Dr. Sumer A Phillips M.D.
It has been medically established, Sarah was in a coma due to the ’restriction of blood and oxygen to her brain’. Fort Smith Police Report page 2. Officer J. Scarborough is the first officer to arrive at the ER, he will place in his report.
” The doctor advised me that Sarah had marks on her neck that was consistent with strangulation”
(Click thumbnail to enlarge)
Fort Smith Police Offense Report Number 0090004428-00
Officer R. Reed is the first Detective to arrive at the ER, he will place in his report page 3. ” RN Time Green said Sarah was suffering from lack of oxygen to her brain” Detective Reed goes on to say ” There are scratches on her chest and shoulder area. She had a red bump about the size of a quarter behind her right ear and what looked like a small cut in front of her right ear.
“On her neck I saw what appeared to be redness on the right side and continuing to the left side”.
(Click thumbnail to enlarge)
Fort Smith Police Offense Report Number 0090004428-00
Detective M. Warren and Detective Reed meet with Fort Smith Prosecutors Dan Shue, DPA Ward, DPA Wagoner, DPA Houston and DPA Jennen. After this meeting Dan Shue will tell them;
“They would wait to make any decisions when something could be proven”
(Click thumbnail to enlarge)
Fort Smith Police Offense Report Number 0090004428-00
The document below is the last page of the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory Report (the autopsy). This autopsy was preformed almost a mouth after Sarah was beaten, naturally all superficial wounds would have healed by that time. What is most interesting and defies any human logic is the last paragraph,
“Investigators indicated their belief that the decedent had not sustained injuries during the admitted altercation”.
(Click thumbnail to enlarge)
Note: I have elected not to publish the entire autopsy out of respect for our family members.
Everyone now knows 25 year old Sarah Fennell officially died as the results of a ‘stroke’ what the Fort Smith Police investigators and Fort Smith Prosicutor Dan Shue is hiding from everyone is
‘What Caused the Stroke’?
Below is a St Edwards Mercy clinical report written by Dr. Knubley. He is stating they have ruled out every possible health related causes for a stroke and why Sarah is in a coma.
(Click thumbnail to enlarge)
Click here for the complete report. Dr. Knubley
Adam Kuettel based his whole defense on Sarah was drunk. His explanation to everyone of how and why Sarah was in the condition she is in is because of alcohol. Detectives will put in their report “Adam would change his story, about what happened, and in what order”.
He stated in the police report and even told the ER staff “she drank over a half gallon of vodka”
Below is another St. Edwards Mercy clinical report written by Dr. Yazbeck. Under Emergency Room Course,
” After the blood alcohol came back normal”.
(Click thumbnail to enlarge)
Click here for the complete report. Dr.Yazbeck
Below is a St Edwards Mercy clinical report written by Dr. Ghussain.
“She had a bruise in the right mastoid area. She had some redness on the anterior neck area”
(Click thumbnail to enlarge)
Click here for the complete report. Dr. Ghussain
More than two years have now passed, and Adam J. Kuettel still has
NEVER been arrested, much less charged with any crime involving the brutal beating death of Sarah M. Fennell (age 25).
You may be wondering, just like we are, why Adam was never arrested or charged with anything.
The answer is very simple. NONE of the information and documented evidence in my Sworn Complaint reached the Arkansas State Medical Examiner’s office. They were told Sarah “did not receive ANY injury’s in the admitted altercation.” by the Fort Smith investigators. And the Fort Smith Prosecutors Office turned a blind eye to this case from the onset.
This is the foundation of my Sworn Complaint. I demand an accounting from these ‘investigators’, Fort Smith Prosecutor Dan Shue and Chief of Police Kevin Lindsey.
I have filed a formal request directly with the United States Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to have this case re-open by their representatives in Washington DC.
I charge, Fort Smith Prosecutor Dan Shue and Fort Smith Chief of Police Kevin Lindsey implemented a Murder Cover-up in order to protect Adam J. Kuettel. I charge, this was done for political gain.
The law firm defending Adam Kuettle was one of the largest campaign contributors to the seat Dan Shue now occupies. Adam has never been arrested or charged in the brutal beating and treatment of Sarah, that was the direct cause of her death.
Fort Smith Chief of Police Kevin Lindsey and his investigators botched this murder investigation. By providing fraudulent and misleading information to the Medical Examiners.
In order for the Medical Examiners to discover what happened to Sarah. And why a perfectly healthy 25 year old would have a stroke? When all clinical studies discounted all the natural health causes of a stroke. They (Medical Examiners) needed to know what happened to Sarah in the hours preceding her arrival at St Edwards Mercy Medical Emergency Room.
According to documents, the Medical Examiners were told by ‘investigators’ Sarah was NOT injured in the altercation Adam admitted to.
Keep in mind, this is the same ‘investigators’ that were responsible for faxing and mailing all the information in order to make sure the Medical Examiners had all the investigation and clinical reports. It is my position this requested information was manipulated, omitted and out right fraudulently misrepresented.
In total frustration and against their better judgment, the Medical Examiner will place in the Autopsy report and I quot from (page 6). “Studies showed a possible basilar artery occlusion and kinking of the left vertebral artery”. They go on to say; “Investigators” indicated their belief that the decedent HAD NOT sustained injuries during the admitted altercation”. ”In the ABSENCE of investigative or hospital evidence of TRAUMA to explain the ischemic changes of deep brain structures, THE MANNER OF DEATH WAS FELT TO BE NATURAL”
I have relied on the following documentation to support my charges:
- Fort Smith Police Department Incident Report #090004428-00 (the “Incident Report”).
- Fort Smith Police Department Incident Report Witness Statements.
- St. Edwards Mercy Medical Emergency Clinical Record #RM T2 (the “Clinical Record”).
- St. Edwards Medical Mercy Medical Center Physician(s) reports (“St. Edwards Clinical Reports”).
- Radiology, Nuclear Medical and Medical Imagining Clinical Test Results.
- Arkansas State Crime Laboratory Report case #ME-152-09 (the “State Crime Lab Report”).
The following is a ‘narrative’ taken from the actual signed and notarized Sworn Complaint I filed. To read the complete complaint click on the links below.
Official Sworn Complaint (filed)
Sworn Complaint Amendment (filed)
Evidence and Documented Facts to Support my Claim/Charges:
(1) Sarah Fennell (victim), age 25, was in a coma at St. Edwards Mercy Medical Emergency Department as the result of an admitted violent domestic assault. She had 43 documented traumas to her body, including visible neck and head trauma. The treating physicians told Fort Smith investigators that Sarah was in a coma due to the ”restriction of blood and oxygen to her brain.”
(2) Sarah arrived at St. Edwards ER at 1:30 pm on January 25, 2009. This was almost 12 hours after the admitted domestic assault. Adam J. Kuettel admitted to investigators that he and Sarah got into a fight in the early morning hours of that date, between 2 am and 3 am. (Incident Report)
(3) Fort Smith Police Officer J. Scarborough noted in his written report, “The Doctor advised me that Sarah had marks on her neck that was consistent with strangulation.”(Incident Report, pg 2)
(4) Five medical doctors and one RN recorded 43 visible marks of trauma to Sarah’s body, including visible trauma to her neck and head. Dr. Yarborough stated in a clinical report, “She has had multiple traumatic injuries about her body.” (St. Edwards Clinical Reports) (revised)
- Dr. Yarborough
- Dr. Knubtey
- Dr. Ghussain
- Dr. Yazbeck
- Dr. S. Phillips
- RN Tim Green
(5) Four police officers / investigators reported and documented visible traumas to Sarah’s body, neck and head area. (Incident Report)
- Officer J. Scarborough
- Unknown officer identified only as ‘CFS’ on page 3
- Detective Michael J. Warren
- Detective Reed
(6) St. Edwards Mercy Clinical Radiology Department confirmed that Sarah had “Internal Trauma” to her neck, head, and brain. Clinical test results show: ’Basilar Artery Occlusion and Kinking of the Left Vertebral Artery.’ (St. Edwards Clinical Reports)
(Photo intended for illustration purposes ONLY)
(7) St. Edwards Mercy Medical Doc# 987795 quotes Dr. Yazbeck: “She had a bruise in the right Mastoid area.” This injury to Sarah’s head is repeatedly documented throughout the St. Edwards Clinical Record and the Incident Report.
(8) Detective Michael J. Warren reports, “I went into the room and took photos of Sarah Fennell. She had a knot on the top of her forehead and behind her right ear [this is the Mastoid area]. She had some red blotches around her neck.” (Incident Report)
(9) St. Edwards Mercy Medical Clinical Report Dr. S. Phillips “She has multiple bruises around her neck and right mastoid, She has had multiple traumatic injuries about her body”
(Photo intended for illustration purposes ONLY)
(10) St. Edwards Mercy Medical Clinical Report -Department of Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging Job#20314. “Tilt of the Cervical Spine noted to the left.”
(11) St. Edwards Mercy Medical Clinical Report-Department of Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging Job#22425D: “Stenosis/Kinking of the left Vertebral at its exit from C2 foramina and additional stenosis/filling defect along the wall, slightly beyond this within the left vertebral artery. There is mild irregularity of the left vertebral artery just beyond this as well.”
(Photo intended for illustration purposes ONLY)
(12) Detective Warren and Detective Reed meet with Fort Smith Prosecutors Office (PA Shue and DPAs Wagoner, Houston, and Jennen) to present evidence. After this meeting with Prosecutors Office they concluded, “After review they stated they would wait to make any decision when something could be proven.” (Incident Report, page 9)
Sarah M. Fennell, Age 25



Our Hearts Are Forever Shattered
WHY? In my complete signed and notarized Sworn Complaint, I claim and charge these investigators are grossly incompetent and violated numerous laws in the process of protecting Adam Kuettel for some unknown reason. It’s the purpose of this complaint to get the Arkansas FBI (and/or ) the United States Department of Justice involved and find out why.
- Why did Dan Shue protect Adam in refusing to bring ANY charges against him?
- Why did they ignore what the treating physicians were telling them?
- Why did they ignore all the medical reports?
- Why did they ignore all the clinical test results?
- Why did they ignore all the witness statements?
- Why did they ignore what the other police officers reported?
- Why did they lie to and manipulate the State Medical Examiners?>
- Why did they lie to and manipulate the State Medical Examiners Investigators?
- Why did they ultimately outright refuse to protect a domestic assault victim, who died of her injuries?
- Why did they adamantly protect Adam J. Kuettel, an admitted woman beater?
Can any reasonable doubt of my claims be remotely established? Am I the only one that can see beyond a reasonable doubt that the Arkansas State Medical Examiner was in fact given fraudulently misleading opinions, evidence, and false information by the Fort Smith investigators? Including the facts Dan Shue protected Adam and refused to hold him accountable for his brutal treatment that directly resulted in Sarah’s death? I challenge anyone to refute these stated facts.
Sworn Complaint
NOTE: A Sworn Complaint Amendment is being added to include Murder Cover-up. I will replace the following complaints and charges with the new amendments once I have them notarized.
‘narrative’
I, James L. Steward Jr., complain and charge the following with incompetence and failed leadership.
- Fort Smith, Arkansas Police Chief Kevin D. Lindsey
- Major Mark Hallum
- Captain J. Copeland
I, James L. Steward Jr., complain and charge the following with one and/or all of the following:
- Corruption
- Incompetence
- Fraudulently Misrepresenting Evidence to: Arkansas State Crime Laboratory
- Fraudulently Misrepresenting Evidence to: Arkansas State Crime Lab Investigators
- Fraudulently Misrepresenting Evidence to: Arkansas State Medical Examiners
- Fraudulently Misrepresenting Evidence to: Fort Smith Prosecuting Office
- Detective Michael J. Warren
- Sgt. C. Sutton
- Sgt. P. Davis
- Detective Reed
- Detective Smithson
- Detective L. Phillips
Sworn Complaint Amendment
NOTE: A Sworn Complaint Amendment is being added to include Murder Cover-up. I will replace the following complaints and charges with the new amendments once I have them notarized.
Date: December 15, 2011
I complain and charge Fort Smith Prosecutor Charles (Dan) Shue Jr. with the following:
- Civil Rights violation
- Corruption
- Prejudice
- Incompetence
Foundation for claim/charge(s)
Fort Smith Prosecutor Charles (Dan) Shue Jr. had at his discretion a number of law violations with which he could have charged Adam J. Kuettel, even before 25-year-old Sarah M. Fennell died. I reference the Fort Smith Police Department Incident Report #090004428-00 and St. Edwards ER clinical reports.
- Adam admitted to investigators a violent domestic fight took place between him and Sarah.
- Sarah arrives at the ER in a coma with 43 injuries to her head, neck and body.
- Adam admitted to dragging Sarah to the bathroom and stripping her unconscious body naked and getting into the bathtub with her. Adam will tell investigators, he was trying to make her wake up because she was drunk. St. Edwards ER clinical reports showed, Sarah had no alcohol in her system.
- Adam admitted, and the incident report supports, that he denied Sarah emergency medical help for over 4.5 hours while she lay on the floor naked unconscious and unresponsive. Adam admits when he returned 6 hours after the fight took place. He found Sarah still laying on the floor unconscious and unresponsive at 9 am; Sarah did not arrive at the ER until 1:30 pm.
- Adam J. Kuettel has never been arrested or charged with any law violation in connection with the death of Sarah M. Fennell.
I charge that Fort Smith Prosecutor Dan Shue disregarded the laws of Arkansas and demonstrated prejudice and discrimination by turning a blind eye to justice in refusing to hold Adam J. Kuettel responsible for his actions that directly related to and caused the death of Sarah M. Fennell.
I charge Prosecutor Dan Shue did this because the law firm representing Adam Kuettel, Chronister, Fields & Flake, was and is a supporter and major campaign contributor to Dan Shue’s successful bid for the elected seat he now occupies. These contributions are supported in the Arkansas Secretary of State Elections Division’s campaign contribution and expenditure reports.
To read the complete complaint follow the links below:
Official Sworn Complaint (filed)
Sworn Complaint Amendment (filed)
NO MORE SILENCE
Please share this blog with everyone on your FB page, and ask them to do the same. It only takes a minute to sign the petition, but the results will prove immeasurable. If enough people sign the petition, it will keep the Fort Smith Police investigators from sweeping domestic assault victims under a rug again and possibly save another victim from the same miscarriage of justice.
This is Fort Smith’s ‘Deep Dark Shameless Secret,’ and it must be exposed. We all have the power in our hands at this very moment to secure Justice for Sarah and for all domestic assault victims that are swept under the rug by the incompetence of Dan Shue and Kevin Lindsey.
















