Cedric(left) and James Poore are brought into a courtroom at the Tulsa County Courthouse on Friday. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Two brothers charged in a quadruple-murder at the Fairmont Terrace apartments will stand trial, a judge ruled Friday.
Cedric Poore, 39, and James Poore, 32, are each charged with four counts of first-degree murder and two count of robbery with a firearm.
At the conclusion of a seven-day preliminary hearing, Tulsa County Special Judge Stephen Clark ruled that sufficient evidence existed to warrant a trial.
The Poores next court appearance will be Sept. 23 for an arraignment setting before District Judge William Kellough.
Prosecutors rested their case Thursday, but defense attorney John Echols sought to call a number of witnesses to testify. Clark denied that request Friday.
A preliminary hearing is intended to determine whether probable cause exists to believe that a crime has occurred and to believe that the defendant committed it. Some judges cut off hearings after they have heard enough to decide whether to bind a defendant over for trial.
In court Thursday, a Tulsa police detective testified about the scene at the Fairmont Terrace apartment complex near 61st Street and Peoria Avenue, where the killings occurred on Jan. 7.
Julie Jackson, 55; Misty Nunley, 33; Rebeika Powell, 23; and Kayetie Powell Melchor, 23, were all bound and shot in the head, detective Mark Robinson testified.
Forty-caliber shell casings were recovered in the bedroom, Robinson said.
Rebeika and Kayetie Powell, who were sisters, lived in the apartment with Nunley, and Jackson, a neighbor, had stopped by to check on them that day.
Witnesses testified that James Poore said he planned to steal drugs and money at the women's apartment.
Other witnesses described seeing the brothers divide up drugs, money and jewelry stolen during the robbery.
First Assistant District Attorney Doug Drummond said a decision on seeking the death penalty in the case will be made at a later date.
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