James Poore said that he shot one woman "and bro finished the other three" during a robbery at the Fairmont Terrace complex in January, according to testimony from a witness in Tulsa County District Court on Monday.
Jamila Jones, 21, testified that Poore and his brother, Cedric, returned to her apartment in Fairmont Terrace after shooting the four women and divided up drugs, money and jewelry stolen during the robbery. James Poore had lived with Jones in her apartment for several months before the slayings, she said.
Jones' testimony came during the fourth day of a preliminary hearing in Tulsa County District Court for James Poore, 32, and Cedric Poore, 39. The hearing was continued from July, when four prosecution witnesses testified during three days.
The Poore brothers are each charged with four counts of first-degree murder. The homicides occurred Jan. 7 in an apartment at the complex near 61st Street and Peoria Avenue.
Killed were Julie Jackson, 55; Misty Nunley, 33; Rebeika Powell, 23; and Kayetie Powell Melchor, 23. Rebeika and Kayetie Powell, who were sisters, lived in the apartment with Nunley, and Jackson had stopped by to check on them that day.
The killings shocked the city and drew public attention to a long-term crime problem surrounding 61st and Peoria. Several family members wore heart-shaped photos of the women pinned to their shirts Monday.
District Attorney Tim Harris has not announced whether he will seek the death penalty in the case. That decision is usually made following the conclusion of a preliminary hearing.
Jones testified that on the day of the killings, she went to Rebeika Powell's apartment to smoke a cigarette.
She said she and Powell were friends and that their sons often played together. Jones said Powell had said that morning that Jones had stolen from her, but Jones denied the accusation.
"I told her I wasn't raised like that," Jones said.
Jones said while she was in Powell's bedroom, she saw numerous small baggies of "ice" - slang for methamphetamine - on a table with "smiley faces" on the bags.
Jones said there was also cash and jewelry in Powell's bedroom. She said as she left the apartment, she called James Poore to tell him what she had seen there.
When Jones returned to her apartment one floor below, she said James Poore had called his brother to come over.
Jones testified that after Cedric Poore arrived, she heard James Poore say he planned to "hit a lick" - slang for a robbery.
The brothers left Jones' apartment and were gone for about 20 minutes, Jones said. When they returned, Cedric Poore was carrying a backpack and had a black gun tucked in his waistband.
Jones said the two went into her bedroom and dumped out the contents of the backpack, including the baggies of drugs with the "smiley faces," about $300 cash and a food stamp card bearing Rebeika Powell's name.
Cedric Poore took the jewelry, James Poore kept the drugs and they split the cash, giving her $15 of the money.
"He (James) tells me that he had to do it," Jones said. "He said he just had to do it and bro finished the other three."
Jones said she and James Poore, along with three other people who had been at her apartment, went to a nearby store after the killings. When they returned, police were at the complex, but Jones said she did not tell them what she had witnessed.
During cross-examination by James Poore's attorney, Kathy Fry, Jones said she had been interviewed by police on Jan. 30 and Feb. 6. She said she initially lied to police, telling them Rebeika Powell was afraid of a drug dealer named "Suave."
Jones said she feared she or her family members would be harmed if she told the truth. She said she later told police what she actually witnessed.
Fry referred to various inconsistent statements that Jones allegedly made regarding the events.
Defense attorney John Echols, who represents Cedric Poore, questioned Jones about a deal she made with prosecutors in exchange for her testimony. Jones said she agreed "to testify truthfully" in exchange for not being prosecuted in the case.
In addition to lying to police initially, Jones testified she disposed of the food stamp card and a manicure kit taken during the robbery.
Echols repeatedly asked Special District Judge Stephen Clark to order documents unsealed regarding a hearing during which prosecutors apparently granted immunity to Jones in return for her testimony. District Judge Rebecca Nightingale has ordered records sealed involving the hearing, he said.
Jones made statements during the investigation that "made her part and parcel to a murder," Echols said.
Clark denied the motion, saying Nightingale should be the judge to consider unsealing the records.
The hearing has often been contentious, and Clark expressed frustration at the slow pace during the July testimony. The hearing is expected to continue for several days.
Jones' cross-examination lasted more than four hours Monday, and questions from Echols included how tall her kitchen trash can was. Jones repeatedly answered that she did not remember various events and eventually agreed with Echols that she had a faulty memory.
Before testimony began Monday, Echols said city officials were interfering with his attempts to talk to police officers, and prosecutors had not turned over current addresses for some witnesses.
First Assistant District Attorney Doug Drummond said many of the witnesses were "transient" and that the issue had also caused problems for prosecutors.
Clark either overruled or deferred Echols' motions, saying they could be considered at a later time.
Five witnesses have testified in the hearing, which will determine whether the brothers will be held for trial.
A neighbor testified in July about finding the four women bound and shot in a bedroom of the apartment.
Casey Poore, Cedric Poore's wife, testified earlier that James Poore told her he shot the women because he feared they could identify him.
The hearing continues Tuesday in Clark's courtroom with additional cross-examination of Jones.
Ziva Branstetter 918-581-8306
ziva.branstetter@tulsaworld.com
