Little Rock Police are looking into the death of a local attorney who made headlines earlier in his career.

According to a police report, William C. "Bill" McArthur, 71, was found dead outside his apartment Saturday night in the Shadow Lake Apartment complex at 13111 West Markham Street.

The police report lists the incident as an unattended death.

In the 80s and 90s McArthur's name was often in the news in regards to the Mary Lee Orsini case. McArthur defended Orsini after her arrest for the murder of her husband Ron Orsini. A Pulaski County jury found her not guilty.

In 2003, one month before she died of apparent heart failure in prison, Orsini confessed to killing her husband.

Orsini was in prison after being convicted of ordering the contract killing of McArthur's wife Alice in 1982.

Alice McArthur was found shot to death at her home, two months after she was injured in an attempted car bombing.

In a 2003 letter, Orsini wrote from prison to Pulaski County Judge Chris Piazza. She thanked officials for sending her to prison, saying the sentence was "merciful for the evil I committed against Mrs. McArthur, others and the whole state of Arkansas."

There's no word on funeral arrangements for Bill McArthur.