YELLVILLE—A Marion County circuit judge has scheduled a February trial for Steven M. Manson Jr., who faces multiple rape and sexual assault charges. The trial will take place on February 10 at 8:30 a.m., following a pretrial hearing on January 12 and a status hearing set for November 10.
The trial was rescheduled after a previous July 13 trial date was postponed. According to court documents, the defense sought additional time after identifying a potential witness with exculpatory evidence, prompting further investigation by the state.
Manson Jr., 35, is charged with allegedly raping his 10-year-old stepdaughter in November 2025 in case 45CR-25-118. Separately, prosecutors accuse him of raping an 18-year-old woman in March 2026 at a residence near Yellville. He is a registered Level II sex offender with a prior conviction from Illinois. Prosecutors are pursuing the charges under a habitual offender enhancement.
On August 19, Circuit Judge Andrew S. Bailey signed a scheduling order for six cases against Manson Jr., which include the two rape cases. The order records that Manson appeared with his new attorney, Jack Lofton, during an August 18 status hearing. The court also tolled the speedy trial deadline, halting the timeline by which the state must bring the cases to trial.
Lofton, a Little Rock-based attorney, filed a sweeping discovery request the day before the status hearing. The nine-page motion contains 34 specific requests for information from the state, the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, and law enforcement agencies. It seeks witness lists, police reports, and other standard materials while pressing for additional information that goes beyond routine discovery requests.
One section of the motion asks whether artificial intelligence (AI) or automated tools were used to draft, revise, or analyze police reports, search warrant affidavits, or other relevant materials in the case. Lofton also requested information on specific programs used, the individuals operating them, and details on how the technology was applied.
Another request questions whether investigators employed cell-site simulators, such as Stingrays or Hailstorms, which mimic cell towers to locate mobile phones. The motion demands access to court applications, usage records, operator documentation, and the equipment manuals for such devices. Lofton additionally asked for disclosure of any destroyed or purged recordings, including details on the circumstances and agency policies surrounding their loss.
The motion calls for access to Brady material and officer credibility records, which track law enforcement officials with documented instances of misconduct. It also asks the state to share the results of any background checks conducted on prospective jurors, ensuring the defense has equal access to such information.
Manson Jr. is represented in five of his six open cases in Marion County by Lofton’s firm, Lofton Law. Eugene P. Clifford previously represented Manson Jr., his father Steven Lawrence Manson, and Dezarae Manson but withdrew in July citing a conflict of interest.
Steven Lawrence Manson, Manson Jr.’s father, is also facing charges tied to the March 2026 case, including conspiracy to commit rape, terroristic threatening, and coercion. Judge Bailey set his bond at $15,000 cash during the same August 18 hearing, requiring him to wear an ankle monitor. His next status hearing is set for October 13.
Court filings indicate that one of Manson Jr.’s cases, identified as 45CR-25-82, was included in the scheduling order but not in Lofton’s discovery request.
Prosecutors have not commented publicly on the discovery request or its implications. Both legal teams will review the disclosure requests at subsequent court proceedings.
Manson Jr. remains in custody as he awaits trial.