BURLESON CO. MAN SENTENCED TO 35 YEARS IN SHOOTING DEATH OF ARKANSAS MAN
A Burleson County man accused in the 2019 shooting death of an Arkansas man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison.
(Burleson Co. Jail)
36-year-old Michael Leonard McFarlane of Cade Lake, west of Caldwell, was sentenced Monday as part of a plea agreement with the Burleson County Attorney’s Office for the death of 36-year-old Zachary Rockwell.
McFarlane received 35 years for a first-degree Murder charge, 20 years for a second-degree charge of Tampering with or Fabricating Evidence, and 10 years for a third-degree charge of Tampering with or Fabricating Physical Evidence. McFarlane pleaded guilty to all three charges September 14th, and will serve the sentences concurrently.
McFarlane was indicted on the murder and tampering charges in December 2019 after being arrested in July 2019. The indictments accused him of shooting Rockwell with a handgun, burying his body in a hidden grave, and trying to get rid of evidence at the scene. The final autopsy showed a gunshot wound to the head as the cause of death.
Rockwell’s body was found July 9, 2019 at Cade Lake, after being reported missing two days prior by family members. Investigators said Rockwell’s family last saw him May 27, 2019.
McFarlane, who had been free on $270,000 bond, must serve half his sentence before he is eligible for parole.