Two brothers now face a murder trial in the killings of four women at a Tulsa apartment complex.
Concluding a preliminary hearing that stretched into a seventh day Friday, a Tulsa County judge ordered Cedric Poore and his brother James Poore bound over for trial in the Jan. 7 slayings at the Fairmont Terrace complex near 61st Street and Peoria Avenue.
Defense attorney John Echols, one of the attorneys representing Cedric Poore, said the hearing was "not long enough" as he tried unsuccessfully to call witnesses for the defense.
Cedric Poore, 39, and James Poore, 32, are each charged with four counts of first-degree murder and two counts of robbery with a firearm. James Poore alone also faces a count of possessing a firearm as a felon.
Julie Jackson, 55; Misty Nunley, 33; Rebeika Powell, 23; and Kayetie Powell Melchor, 23, were all bound and shot in the head during a robbery.
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 after the hearing that no decision has been made regarding whether to seek the death penalty in the case.
Echols said the brothers will require separate trials. Antagonistic defenses are often a basis for separate trials.
Cedric Poore denies any involvement in the killings, according to Echols.
The Poores' next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 23 before District Judge William Kellough, the prospective trial judge. However, that arraignment is likely to be postponed.
Echols sought to call a number of witnesses to testify at Friday's hearing, but Special Judge Stephen Clark denied that request.
Clark also denied other defense motions. Echols said he will raise some of those matters again in front of Kellough.
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.
Bill Braun 918-581-8455
bill.braun@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: Brothers bound over for trial in deaths of 4
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