Local News
Sledge found guilty, senteced to life
Jury questions puzzle defense and prosecution
A Grady County jury has found Andrea Sledge guilty of the second-degree murder of Maurice Givens.
The jury spent four hours deliberating Friday afternoon before returning a verdict with a sentence of life in prison.
On the second charge of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty.
Conflicting testimony between Chickasha Officer Seth Thompson and former Chickasha Officer Doug Mabry appeared to have caused a problem for the jury. Thompson reported that the drug fell down from behind the back seat when officers shook the seat. Mabry had told the jury “ain’t no way” someone could get behind the back of the seat.
During their deliberations, the jury did ask to see the police vehicle for themselves. The judge, however, responded that the jurors had all of the pertinent information already before them.
Two other questions did come from the jury while in deliberations.
The jurors asked for a television and DVD player to watch the video of the scene taken by Fire Marshal Agent Judah Shepard.
The jurors also asked, “Is there proof that the ex-husband did not come through the window with rage and revenge?”
The question appeared to take both sides by surprise and prosecutor Lesley March asked that the judge verify that the question was from the jury in this case.
In response to the question, the court sent notice back that the jury had all of the information it needed to consider the case.
The jurors were allowed a means to view the DVD from Shepard though.
Sledge held her head in her hands as the jury’s verdict was read. Defense counsel asked for the jurors to be polled and one by one each confirmed that this was their verdict.
“We’ll never know why,” Assistant District Attorney Lesley March said in her closing, “we don’t have to prove why.”
The elements of second-degree murder does not require that the defense had to prove Sledge was trying to kill Givens with her actions, only that she did.
March said, though, she felt the evidence clearly showed the defendants intent when she bound the feet of the victim, dowsed the area with accelerant, lit the fire, blocked the door with the china cabinet, and reportedly disabled the fire alarms.
The defense argued that the crime alleged by the state takes preparation, and Sledge had under two hours to complete all of the allegations.
Attorney Myra Bell asked the jury to ask themselves, “Does this make sense?”
Did it makes sense that Sledge would kill the one man who had taken her in when she needed a place to stay?
In her final closing, March answered no.
March said it did not make sense for Sledge to kill Givens, and that was a sign of her depraved mind.
“And let the State be clear,” March said in response to the statements made during the trial concerning the two Lawton Firefighters, “Bart Hadley is a hero. Dewayne Burk is a hero.”
March said the two men risked their lives to save Maurice’s, but they were too late.
She asked the jury to sentence Sledge to the maximum of life in prison, her life in exchange for her victim’s.
The jury agreed.
As an 85 percent crime, Sledge will have to serve at least 38 years before becoming eligible for parole.
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Transformations
What comes to mind when you think of the word, “Transformation”?Do you have fantastic thoughts of people or things changing into something amazing for example, Clark Kent turning into Superman or Bruce Banner becoming the Incredible Hulk or possibly something a little more down to earth like a caterpillar miraculously changing into the beautiful butterfly?
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GRADY COUNTY FAIR RESULTS
Plants
Potted Plants
(Several varieties combined)
First: (Adult) Ann O'Bar
Second: (Adult) Joyce Riker
Third: (Adult) Jallane Link -
AROUND THE AREA
SEPTEMBER 2
Poetry Reading
• When: Sept. 2, 7 p.m.
• Where: Eduardo’s Mexican Restaurant, Private Room, 3127 S. 4th St., Chickasha
• Details: Featured Poet is Carol Hamilton, writer, storyteller and Poet Laureate of Oklahoma 1995-97Hamilton’s website is www.carolhamilton.org. There is no admission fee to attend the Poetry Reading, and refreshments are available for purchase. For more information, contact Rockford Johnson, 224-0160 or 317-7506. -
Duncan nips Chicks for straight-game win
Duncan got their eighth match win of the season Tuesday, beating Nancy Waters’ Lady Chicks in straight games at the Activity Center.
The Chicks looked like they had a little hangover from Monday night’s tough road loss at Tecumseh, coming out flat again and dropping their first two games by identical 25-17 scores.
They came out firing on all eight cylinders for game three, running out to a 15-9 lead on the strength of a 7-0 run with Shelby Crosley serving, but the Demons battled back to tie it late and the Chicks let it slip away, 25-21. -
STATE SPORTS BRIEFS
NORMAN (AP) — Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has named walk-on Patrick O'Hara as the starting place-kicker for the seventh-ranked Sooners.
Stoops said on his radio show Tuesday night that O'Hara won the competition with Jimmy Stevens, freshman Michael Hunnicutt and redshirt freshman Bryce Easley. -
OSU's Gundy still learning on job
STILLWATER (AP) — Mike Gundy hasn't lost his love for dialing up the right play to keep Oklahoma State's offense purring along.
That passion, which he has called the most enjoyable part of his job as head coach, was bred into him as an offensive coordinator. And he is a former starting quarterback for the Cowboys. -
Whimsical metal work, jewelry part of big art show at USAO
A showing of whimsical metal work and jewelry is scheduled to be on display at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma during Helen’s Show Sept. 10-Oct 1.
The show will feature the work of USAO graduate Helen Shafer. The exhibition will be open daily during normal business hours in the Davis Hall Third Floor Art Gallery on the USAO campus. The show is free and open to the public. An opening reception is scheduled Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. in the gallery. -
High-speed chase lands 1 in jail
A high-speed motorcycle chase down Highway 81 last Wednesday landed a Ninnekah man in jail and a felony charge of eluding a police officer.
Court records show that James William Hutchins, 21, blew by Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Timothy Parrish at U.S. Highway 81 and County Road 1460 and was clocked going 144 miles per hour in a posted 70 miles per hour zone.
Parrish reported that he was sitting stationary at that location at about 3:45 p.m. on Aug. 25 when he observed a red motorcycle traveling southbound. He engaged his emergency lights and siren and pulled onto the roadway behind the Triumph motorcycle. -
5 inmates denied parole
Parole was recently denied for five Grady County inmates serving sentences with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
The following individuals were denied at the August Pardon and Parole Board meeting:
• Jeremiah Daniel Cline, who is serving a five-year sentence for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and a five-year sentence for possession of a controlled dangerous substance, began his sentence in August 2008.
• Warren P. Diego, who is serving a 15-year sentence (10 years PTS) for lewd molestation, began his sentence in February 2009. -
Judge recuses herself from pharmacy case
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A state district judge has stepped aside from the first-degree murder trial of a pharmacist accused in the fatal shooting of an unconscious would-be robber.
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Transformations
