Man pleads not guilty in Devil’s Den State Park double homicide

James Andrew McGann / Image: Arkansas State Police

A Washington County man accused of killing two people at Devil’s Den State Park in July has pleaded not guilty to capital murder charges.

Andrew James McGann, 28, entered his plea Thursday during an arraignment at the Washington County Detention Center. He is charged with two counts of capital murder in the stabbing deaths of Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, of Prairie Grove.

Judge Joanna Taylor set McGann’s next hearing for Nov. 14. A court order issued Aug. 13 bars recording devices in the courtroom. McGann remains held without bond and has been ordered to have no contact with the victims’ family.

Prosecuting Attorney Brandon Carter told Northwest Arkansas news outlet KNWA that McGann showed little emotion during the proceeding and expects a gag order to be issued due to national attention on the case. Carter said the state has not ruled out seeking the death penalty.

Arkansas State Police have said McGann confessed to the killings and that DNA from the crime scene matched him. Investigators believe the attack was random.

Authorities said a hiker called 911 on July 26 after finding two bodies on a park trail and leading two girls away from the scene. Witnesses reported seeing a man with blood on his face leave the park in a black Kia Stinger.

An autopsy determined both victims died from stab wounds. On July 30, police located McGann’s vehicle at a Springdale business, where they say he was found with cuts on his hands. Investigators reported finding what appeared to be blood inside the vehicle.