The air was thick with silence as family and friends of the victim and the accused awaited the charges to be filed and Judge Timothy Brauer’s decision on bail in the case of the State of Oklahoma vs. Justin Tillman.
According to the District Attorney’s office, Tillman was driving a 1998 Dodge Pickup on a rural county road while under the influence of an intoxicating substance when he struck a pedestrian -- Bryson Braziel, 20, of Alex who the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said died at the scene. After the incident, reports indicated that Tillman fled,
According to testimony provided by Tillman’s uncle the two involved were “like brothers, best friends.”
The State filed two felony charges against Tillman -- First Degree Manslaughter and t Leaving the Scene of a Fatality Accident.
“Given the seriousness of the crime and the fact that the defendant fled the scene of a fatality, the state asks that the bail be set at $250,000,” said Assistant District Attorney Leah Edwards.
Tillman’s attorney, Ryland Rivas said after calling Tillman’s mother, employer, landlord, and uncle to the stand, “As you can see from the testimony, he is not a flight risk, he’s from Alex, he just graduated from Alex High Sschool, he is employed in Alex, and his family will help make sure he will do the right thing and come to court. Just as he will do the right thing anyway.”
“He will also turn over his driver’s license and passport,” added Rivas.
After explaining how the Constitution, as well as other case law, allows a defendant the right to bond out of jail, Judge Brauer said, “Statutes also state, that in a situation were a possible sentence of a life term, bond can be denied. However, the State is not asking for that.”
Brauer continued saying, “With all of this in mind, bail will be set at $175,000 with a few stipulations. The defendant must retain council and contact with said council, turn over drivers license and passport, no more alcohol or drugs, and no unwanted contact with the victims family.”
Tillman’s Preliminary hearing is set for September 24, 2008 at 1:30.
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Related Photos
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Express-Star photo by Mike Friend A shackled Justin Tillman leaves a Grady County courtroom Tuesday afternoon after he was arraigned on two felony counts in connection with the death of Bryson Brazeil of Alex.
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Driver in Alex fatality charges with 2 felonies, faces up to life
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Food Bank initiates local drive against student hunger
The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma invites Chickasha schools and students to participate in the sixth annual Students Against Hunger Food Drive.
Food and fund donations collected from the drive, which runs Sept. 27-Oct. 29, will benefit First Baptist Church in Chickasha.
“We have been low on food,” said one partner agency. “This food drive will help us serve those in need.” -
Homebuyers class on tap for Sept. 18
If you are thinking about purchasing a home in the near future, you will want to make plans to attend the Homebuyers Education class which will be held on September 18, 2010, from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the Grady County OSU Cooperative Extension Service Conference Room. To make a reservation for the class, please contact the Grady County OSU Cooperative Extension Service at 224-2216.
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Director: Prepare for flash floods
Grab the umbrella and stay tuned to weather alerts, Grady County is included in the flash flood watch issued by the National Weather Service.
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The claim is a request for a law enforcement officer's salary in the amount of $7,700 paid by the Town of Hinton while the officer attended CLEET training. The officer resigned from the Hinton Police Department without completing the one-year employment requirement and was hired by the Grady County Sheriff's Department. The officer has since resigned from the sheriff's department, also. -
DOUGLAS EUGENE HENRY, SR.
Funeral services for Douglas Eugene Henry, Sr., of Chickasha, will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010, in Epworth United Methodist Church.
Douglas Eugene Henry, Sr., was born May 30, 1939 in Chickasha to Joel and Lessie Inez (Parker) Henry. He passed away on Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010 ,in Oklahoma City, at 71.
He and Camelia Turnbow were married for 18 years, and later he married Alicia Malicoat Blair on June 12, 1986 in Chickasha. -
HIWANAH JOAN CASSMEYER WOOD
Funeral service for Hiwanah Joan Cassmeyer Wood, 70, of Rush Springs and formerly of Alex, were held at 1:30 p.m, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010, at the Main Street Church of Christ in Alex.
Hiwanah Joan Cassmeyer Wood was born May 6, 1940 at Alex. She was the daughter of Robert and Annie (Bedford) Stewart. She died Friday Sept. 3, 2010 in Duncan.
She married Anthony “Tony” Cassmeyer; he preceded her in death in 1974.
She later married Wylie Wood. Joan has lived in Rush Springs since 1982.
She was a member of the Alex Main Street Church of Christ.
Her parents and two daughters, Shirley Crosby and Becky Cassmeyer preceded her in death. Four brothers Buford, Leonard, Bobby Joe and Elmer Stewart also preceded her in death. -
ANNA MAE LARGENT
Funeral service for Anna Mae Largent, 33, of Chickasha, is pending with the McRay Funeral Home.
Anna Mae was born on Aug. 29, 1927.
She died on Sept. 7, 2010 in Chickasha. -
HASKELL CURTIS GREENROYD, SR.
Private services were held for Haskell Curtis Greenroyd, Sr., 93, of Minco.
Haskell was born Oct. 15, 1916, at Rush Springs to Sam and Jessie Mae (Taylor) Greenroyd.
He died Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010, at the Grady Memorial Hospital in Chickasha. Haskell lived in Minco most all of his life.
He served in the United States Army during WWII.
Services were under the direction of Huber-Reynolds Funeral Home Minco. -
MARLIN EUGENE LAURENS, SR.
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ROSA NUCKOLS/ GUFFEE
Rosa Nuckols/Guffee, 49, left this earth for her heavenly home on September 3, 2010, after loosing her battle with cancer. Rosa was born on March 28, 1961, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to the parents of Calvin and Inez Guffee.
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