Little Rock police: Man charged with murder in girlfriend's killing

Derrick Mason
Derrick Mason

A man who called police and said he wanted to surrender because he had killed his girlfriend has been charged in her death, authorities said.

Little Rock police said Derrick Mason, 37, faces a charge of first-degree murder in the death of 34-year-old Jessica Berliew.

Police said in a statement that Mason told investigators he and Berliew "got into an argument when she got home from work and he killed her."

Mason directed police to a home on Bishop Street, where Berliew's body was recovered.

Mason was being held without bail Tuesday night in the Pulaski County jail.

EARLIER

A man is being questioned in the overnight death of a woman in Little Rock after he called authorities to surrender after her killing, according to police.

Little Rock police spokesman Richard Hilgeman said officers were called shortly after 11:45 a.m. to the scene of a homicide at 2511 Bishop St. Detectives remained at the scene as of about 1 p.m. awaiting a search warrant to search the house for evidence.

Once detectives are able to enter the house, Hilgeman said, they will be able to provide more information regarding the circumstances of the woman's death.

Authorities said the man, whose identity has not been released, has been transported for questioning in the case. He has not been arrested or charged in the case as of Tuesday afternoon. The identity of the victim has also not been released.

Hilgeman said the two lived together, though he was unsure of the relationship between the man and the victim.

The homicide was the 25th so far this year in Little Rock, Hilgeman said.

Check back for updates and read Wednesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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