Local News
Sheriff stonewalling public records request
By MIKE FRIEND
Assistant Editor
Grady County Sheriff Kieran McMullen is stonewalling a request for public records that could show he misused the county’s communications system to tell deputies that recent stories in The Express-Star were untrue.
The Express-Star made a verbal request Tuesday followed by a formal written request the next day for transcriptions of any reverse 911, mesaging, paging and dispatch communication that occurred on July 15.
McMullen has produced only five pages of communication between dispatch and deputies. It appears to have gaps in time and has some information blacked out. He has declined requests for the other records and has since refused to talk or meet with The Express-Star.
The Oklahoma “Open Records Act” mandates that the records be provided in a timely manner. Failure to do so could lead to a public official being charged with a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a $500 fine and/or up to a year in jail.
District Attorney Bret Burns has said the request made by the newspaper is a “reasonable” one.
Newspaper Publisher Jerry Pittman said if McMullen has not turned over all the requested records by Monday, the newspaper would file a formal complaint with the district attorney and the Oklahoma Attorney General.
The Express-Star has learned that on July 15 McMullen sent a page to deputies discrediting the Express-Star and a reporter, calling a story about a reserve deputy initiating a high-speed pursuit of a man who he had observed not wearing a seat belt a “lie.” Such use of the county’s communications system could be deemed misuse of the taxpayer-financed system.
The records request was also made to George Manning, 911 coordinator, and the three Grady County Commissioners. Manning and commissioner Mike Lennier said the records had to come from McMullen. Manning also refushed to relinguish any records although Burns said friday he had instructed him to so.
McMullen has refused to return phone calls or meet with reporters since Tuesday and has kept reporters waiting for him to leave his office only to exit out a rear entrance.
On Thursday, Shane Wyatt, the jail administrator, told a Express-Star reporter to have a seat in the waiting area and McMullen would be with him after a meeting. After waiting for approximately a half-hour in the waiting area, the reporter asked how much longer before the sheriff would be available.
Wyatt said, “The sheriff is no longer here.”
Requests to talk to 911 personnel were also declined because they “were swamped.”
McMullen was observed entering the building later in the day and as he walked swiftly to he told a reporter, “I don’t think we have anything to talk about. I think I gave you what you requested.” .
He then went up the steps and let the door close behind him.
Deputies, who can regularly be seen congregating outside the jail to smoke and talk, were asked about the page from McMullen.
One deputy, who would not identify himself as required by law but was later identified as Al Hooper, said, “I ain’t got anything to say to you. You can just get the hell off the Sheriff’s property.”
Reminded that the jail is on public property, Hooper said, “the newspaper ain’t a civilian. Just get out of here.”
Deputy Robert Casey, who along with McMullen was indicted in connection with illegal gambling at the Chickasha Elks Lodge, replied, “No comment, no comment, no comment.”
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GRADY COUNTY FAIR RESULTS
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First: (Adult) Ann O'Bar
Second: (Adult) Joyce Riker
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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. -
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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. -
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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
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Transformations
