True Crime Chronicles: The 1978 Newton County cult child murder that shocked the entire state of Arkansas

in April 1978, four members of a small religious cult in northwest Arkansas were charged with the first-degree murder of 3-year-old Stephanie Alana Hall. The defendants—Goldie Hall, 22 (the child's mother); Royal Harris, 51; Winston Van Harris, 31 (Royal's son); and Steven Mark Harris, 17 (Royal's younger son)—belonged to a group that believed in human sacrifice to exorcise demons.

The case unfolded in Newton County, a rural area in the Ozarks, and involved ritualistic abuse and a shooting in a remote wilderness campsite. All defendants were convicted or pleaded guilty, with sentences ranging from 5 years to life imprisonment.

The group, formally called the Church of God in Christ Through the Holy Spirit, Inc., started in 1972 in Florida. It was founded by Royal Harris, a World War II Air Force veteran, and his wife Edith, a former Methodist minister. They declared their teenage son Steven Mark Harris a prophet with divine authority.

The cult's beliefs centered on an impending apocalypse, including nuclear war and Christ's return, which they called the "Tribulation." Members isolated themselves, pooled resources, and followed strict interpretations of scripture that justified violence against perceived demonic influences.

By the mid-1970s, the group moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and then to northwest Arkansas (Springdale and Rogers areas) in search of seclusion. Core members included the Harris family, Goldie Hall (who joined after personal hardships, including an abusive marriage), and others like Suzette Freeman, who acted as an "interpreter" for the prophet.

The cult had about nine adults and several children, living in rented trailers and apartments while working low-wage jobs.

Tensions escalated in late March 1978 when the group targeted Stephanie Hall, deeming her "anathema" or possessed by the devil. During a meeting led by Steven Mark Harris, they burned the child's toys and held her hand over a fire, causing blisters.

This abuse prompted a Benton County child welfare investigation after a tip from a cult member's estranged spouse. Fearing arrest, the group fled Rogers on April 24, 1978, setting fire to one of their trailers. Royal Harris, Winston Van Harris, Steven Mark Harris, Goldie Hall, Stephanie, and Suzette Freeman drove to a remote campsite in the Buffalo National River wilderness near Cave Mountain Church in Newton County.

They set up tents and a camper, armed with multiple firearms and ammunition. That night, Steven Mark ordered Stephanie's death to "exorcise the demons." Early on April 25, Royal and Winston took the child about 50 feet from camp and shot her eight times with a .22-caliber rifle.

A witness later stated the toddler was told she was "going berry picking" before being heartlessly gunned down.

Her body showed signs of prior beatings, burns, and bruises. They stuffed her remains into a mesh bag, placed it in a 5-gallon bucket, and buried it shallowly under logs.

On the morning of April 25, game warden Fred Bell and a companion stumbled upon the campsite while turkey hunting. Noting suspicious behavior and recording vehicle plates, Bell contacted authorities, who linked the group to a Benton County warrant for child abuse.

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Newton County Sheriff Hershel Fowler and deputies arrested the five adults later that day. A search uncovered 15-20 weapons, about 2,000 rounds of ammunition, food supplies, and copies of the Harrises' self-published book, The Third Step to Joyful Living, or How to Stop Worrying.

Stephanie's body was located near the site based on statements from the suspects. Two other cult members en route to kidnap children from a related family in Missouri were arrested separately. All denied involvement initially, but evidence and confessions emerged during interrogations.

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Charges were filed on April 26, 1978, in Newton County Circuit Court. All initially pleaded not guilty. Royal Harris, Winston Van Harris, and Steven Mark Harris later changed pleas:

• Royal Harris pleaded nolo contendere and received a life sentence.

• Steven Mark Harris, who turned 18 in custody, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life.

• Winston Van Harris began trial on September 12, 1978, but accepted a plea deal after two state witnesses testified. He pleaded guilty to first-degree murder with a firearm enhancement, receiving 50 years for murder plus 15 years for the firearm (total 65 years).

Goldie Hall's charge was reduced to second-degree murder. Her trial started in mid-September 1978. Testimony from Suzette Freeman (granted immunity) and others described the abuse and shooting.

The jury deliberated nearly five hours before convicting her on September 21, 1978, sentencing her to five years.

She served two years in a women's facility in Pine Bluff and was released in 1980.

The case occurred shortly before the Jonestown mass suicide in November 1978, which may have influenced public perception of cults but did not directly affect the proceedings.

Winston Van Harris appealed in 1981, claiming an involuntary plea and ineffective counsel. In 1989, the Arkansas Supreme Court upheld his murder conviction but reversed the firearm enhancement due to procedural errors in plea advisement, remanding for resentencing.

He was released in 2003.

Steven Mark Harris was released in 2009 after serving as a model inmate. Royal Harris died in prison in 1998. Goldie Hall remarried and had another child post-release.

Suzette Freeman served no time and died in 2019.

The case remains one of Newton County's most documented homicides, highlighting rural isolation and cult dynamics.

No further crimes linked to the group ever emerged.