Pauls Valley, OK, Pauls Valley Daily Democrat

Local News

December 20, 2009

Grand jury rules on shooting death

A Garvin County grand jury has concluded there is no evidence to show a crime of any kind was involved in last year’s shooting death of a Wynnewood man.

In a “partial” report released Friday, jurors indicated the evidence and testimony they looked into during their closed investigation supports the official ruling that Tom Horton’s death in December 2008 was from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The six-woman, six-man jury was first convened in August after two of Horton’s sons and three friends successfully petitioned for a grand jury to look closer at his death.

The jury’s initial findings do not match the suspicions of the five petitioners — Pat and Matt Horton, Raymond Bazor, Karen Bazor and Shannon Kile — who believed Horton’s death in his Wynnewood home may have involved some kind of criminal act.

“Grand jury investigation findings are consistent with original investigative findings and sufficient evidence exists to rule Tom Horton’s death a suicide,” jurors concluded in the report released by Garvin County Assistant District Attorney George Burnett.

“We, the grand jury, having listened to witnesses and recalled the petitioners regarding their concerns about the case. We have listened to all the evidence and find there is no evidence that conclusively proves a homicide. We find that most of the information gathered by the petitioners of the grand jury to be untrained speculation and guesswork,” the document states.

The report described the evidence presented by the petitioners as “circumstantial.”

“Subsequently, after hearing all the evidence, we find that no evidence indicated a crime was committed.

“We do not find that further investigation is an efficient use of taxpayer’s dollars. Further investigation of persons in this case may, in fact, be an abuse of process.”

Jurors also focused a critical eye on the investigation of Horton’s death conducted by law enforcement.

They concluded the evidence offered by the initial investigation was “inconsistent.”

They believe a problem existed with the officers’ authority and control at the crime scene.

“The first officer on the scene thought he controlled the scene until deputies arrived from Garvin County. He thought Garvin County was in charge at that point. The assistant chief thought the first officer at the scene was in charge until much later in the investigation, based upon communication with the Wynnewood police chief,” the report states.

“The deputies from Garvin County never thought they were in charge of the scene but were there to assist Wynnewood with the investigation.”

The jury made it clear it does not accuse any officers of “misfeasance.” However, they concluded the inconsistencies could have been avoided if a forensic evidence technician from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation had been called in to work the entire scene and not just near the body, which jurors stated was insufficient.

“We strongly recommend that OSBI be called to assist local law enforcement on any unattended death involving violence,” the report stated.

Local News
  • Pursuit goes way out there A pursuit going way out beyond the Pauls Valley and Wynnewood area now has a metro man facing criminal charges here in Garvin County.

    March 17, 2010

  • Hopes hinge on senior nutrition legislation While no official decision has been made on the final details of restoration of some of the $7.4 million cut from senior nutrition programs, something will be in place by the end of the current session, said Sen. Susan Paddack, D-Ada.

    March 17, 2010

  • Horse ride turns tragic

    A weekend ride turned tragic when a Pauls Valley man died after falling off or being thrown from a horse.

    March 16, 2010

  • Plea goes out after candy theft

    A theft from a ballpark concession stand — specifically loads of candy — now has Pauls Valley authorities turning to the public for help.

    March 16, 2010

  • PVDD King's Kids A real spring break for kids

    With a spring break from school now upon Pauls Valley a local center that caters to the younger crowd looks to offer a helping hand during this week when classrooms remain empty.

    March 15, 2010 1 Photo

  • PVDD Zant book PV author connects Jewish faith to Christianity

    The Christian connection to Israel has not always been acknowledged or appreciated and it is a trend that some are trying to reverse.

    March 15, 2010 1 Photo

  • Church break-ins lead to PV man

    Four formal charges have been filed with more maybe to come against a Pauls Valley man accused of breaking into and in some cases stealing from local churches.

    March 15, 2010

  • PVDD Valley Idol Valley Idol auditions a tough pick

    Another talented field of contestants made it no easier to fill the limited slots for Valley Idol for the third year.

    March 12, 2010 1 Photo

  • Commissioners close paperwork on grant

    It’s the end of one grant and the start of another as a Garvin County group is gearing up to request funding for a rural firefighter project.

    March 12, 2010

  • Center to get 911 equipment

    The official OK has been given for a bid that will soon fully equip a long-planned countywide 911 call and dispatch center as work moves toward getting the new system online.

    March 12, 2010

Business Marquee

AP Video

Community Calendar

Loading…
Events by eviesays.com

Seasonal Content

NDN Video