After sitting for nearly 20 years on death row for the 1982 murder of Pamela Kaye Willis, Curtis Edward McCarty is now a free man. Judge Twyla Mason Gray said during today’s hearing she believes that McCarty was involved in the murder but because of the actions of former Oklahoma City police chemist Joyce […]
Scott Cooper
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Court denies appeal for Pavatt
Convicted murderer James Dwight Pavatt was denied appeal from the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals this afternoon. The justices voted 5-0 to deny overturning Pavatt’s murder conviction and death sentence. Pavatt was found guilty in September 2003 of conspiring and killing Oklahoma City advertising executive Robert Andrew at his home in 2001. Pavatt’s co-defendant and […]
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Judge: McCarty test results expected next week
Results of a second round of DNA testing in the state’s murder case against Curtis Edward McCarty should be in the court’s hands next week. At a status conference hearing Friday morning before Oklahoma County District Judge Twyla Mason Gray, attorneys indicated the lab said results would be rushed back to Oklahoma by Wednesday. […]
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Judge releases man charged with murder
Pleading with those in his courtroom he has no other choice, a judge has released a man charged with murder. Oklahoma County District Judge Ray Elliot granted the release to Earl Bradford Postelle, 42, who is charged with the Memorial Day murders in 2005. “I find it incredible this is the position I’m […]
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First parking meter was installed in Oklahoma
This week in 1935, the Oklahoma City Council approved the installation of the world’s first parking meter. Invented by lawyer and newspaper editor Carl C. Magee, the parking meter was met with as much disdain more than 70 years ago as it is today. “It was controversial,” said Michael Dean, public relations director […]
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McCarty submits additional DNA sample
At an afternoon hearing in Judge Twyla Mason Gray’s courtroom (pictured), Curtis McCarty submitted an additional DNA sample for testing in the Pamela Kaye Willis murder case. McCarty’s new sample will be tested against fingernail evidence Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater’s office discovered in February. Results from the previous DNA sample indicated […]
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Key evidence in McCarty case does not match defendant
Oklahoma Gazette has confirmed a key piece of evidence in a 25-year-old murder case does not match the defendant. Twice convicted and sentenced to death three times for the crime, Curtis Edward McCarty awaits trial for the 1982 killing of Pamela Kaye Willis. Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater told Gazette a footprint […]
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Oklahoma County judge’s hands tied by “absurd law”
Oklahoma County District Judge Ray Elliot said his hands were tied by an “absurd law” and will consider modifying conditions for nursing home care for a man who was charged with murder. Man facing murder charge is in nursing facility At a court hearing Friday morning, Elliot denied turning Earl Bradford Postelle over to the […]
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Tornado activity slowing down in Oklahoma, stats show
Recent data show the number of tornadoes in Oklahoma for the past five years is significantly down from the average, as are the number of violent tornadoes ” something Oklahoma is more known for than any other state. Has “tornado alley” moved out of Oklahoma? “People have certainly noticed,” said Rick Smith, warning coordination meteorologist […]
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Gov. Henry veto on abortion bill stands
The state Senate failed this morning to override Gov. Brad Henry’s veto of an abortion bill by one vote. Senate Bill 714 would have banned the use of state facilities or employees to perform abortions. The vote was 31 in favor of the override, with 17 opposed. The bill first passed out of […]