Tulsa World: Tulsa's homicide rate drops in '08

MAKE US YOUR HOMEPAGE | Saturday, November 21, 2009 | WIRELESS

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Tulsa's homicide rate drops in '08
Neal Sweeney was among the 54 people slain in Tulsa in 2008; 14 cases, including his, are still open

Detective Darren Froemming marks bullet trajectories after a deadly drive-by shooting in September. One of the four victims died from injuries he suffered in the shooting. MATT BARNARD / Tulsa World file

By NICOLE MARSHALL World Staff Writer
Published: 1/4/2009 2:55 AM
Last Modified: 1/4/2009 3:08 AM

Search an updated database reviewing 20 years of Tulsa homi cides and view the Lost Lives project, including interactive graphics and videos of interviews with victims’ family members.

The holiday season brought a very difficult end to an even more difficult year for the Sweeney family.

Neal Sweeney, a 63-year-old businessman and former University of Tulsa football player, was one of 54 people slain last year in Tulsa. His death is among the 14 homicide cases from 2008 that remain open and under active investigation.

Sweeney's daughter, Allison Turner, said the family endured the first holiday season without him by "taking it day by day" and praying that someone with a conscience will come forward and provide police the information needed to help close the case.

"The holidays were so hard," she said. "Our family is so rich in tradition that it is hard to turn a corner without facing something we did together traditionally on so many days."

Sweeney's Sept. 4 shooting, which police say bears the markings of a hit, was one of several unusual homicides that occurred in Tulsa last year.

Overall, the number of killings decreased compared with the year before, but the complexity of the cases continues to increase, Sgt. Mike Huff said. Tulsa had 64 killings in 2007.

A Tulsa World review of homicides shows that last year's total is lower than the average for the five previous years. Tulsa averaged

60 slayings per year between 2003 and 2007.

The pace of killings in 2008 in Tulsa started unusually slowly, with the first month of the year almost slipping by without a homicide.

Then Antonio Nears, 29, was shot to death in bed at a midtown home on Jan. 31. The fatal shooting was sparked by a domestic argument about money.

In comparison, nine people were killed in Tulsa in both January 2007 and January 2006.

About 75 percent of the 2008 homicide cases are considered closed, which means someone has been arrested or charged with the death. That "clearance rate" is above average nationally but is low for Tulsa.

"We do not consider that acceptable," Huff said. "We have several cases that are right on the verge of being closed, but we are just not there yet."

FBI figures obtained by The Associated Press show that the number of criminal homicides committed in the United States climbed from 4,566 in 1963 — the first year records were kept in the manner they are now — to 14,811 in 2007.

However, the national homicide clearance rate dropped from 91 percent in 1963 to 61 percent in 2007, according to the FBI.

"I talk to investigators across the country and they are seeing the same thing. Cases are more complicated. Juries expect more and prosecutors expect more," Huff said. "The 'no snitch' culture that we see in many gang investigations has also affected the clearance rates."

The majority of the open cases from last year were motivated either by gangs or drugs, Huff said. Developing sources and witnesses in such cases takes a long time due to the involvement of criminal activity, he said.

"I think that there was an increase in drug-related homicides (in 2008), and that is something that we are currently looking at," Huff said.

Police records indicate that 12 homicides last year were tied to drugs and that five resulted from gang activity. Huff noted that not a single gang-related death occurred until July.

Detectives are hopeful about what effect the CompStat program will have on the homicide rate when the Tulsa Police Department begins using it this year, Huff said. Originating in New York, CompStat is an approach to crime reduction and resource management that uses crime mapping.

"That is what CompStat is going to be looking at — the root cause of activity in an area before a homicide even occurs," Huff said.

High-profile and other unusual homicide cases

Detectives worked several unusual or high-profile cases in 2008 that presented them with unusual challenges. Among them were the slaying of:

Sydney Dailey: The 13-year-old girl was stabbed to death March 15 on the front porch of her home at 1316 N. Boston Ave., and a 14-year-old schoolmate, Montoya Harris, was charged with her death. Reports show that Dailey suffered 10 stab wounds.

An investigator testified at a preliminary hearing that Harris, now 15, said she stabbed Sydney after they had talked about Dailey "allegedly stealing" Harris' boyfriend.

By law, a 14-year-old who is charged with first-degree murder "shall be held accountable for the act as if the person were an adult," but a defendant that age can seek to be certified as a youthful offender, which allows more lenient treatment.

A judge ruled that Harris will be treated in the court system as a youthful offender, and the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals upheld that ruling.

Lori Moon Kastner: Kastner, 44, was shot twice in the head June 25 as she slept in her home in the 3800 block of South Union Avenue.

Prosecutors allege that her husband, John Robert Kastner, a former Webster High School teacher, killed her. Kastner had told police that his wife was killed by an intruder.

John Kastner, now 51, was under financial pressure as a result of promises he made to family members, friends and co-workers, according to a police affidavit filed June 27, the date he was charged with first-degree murder.

The investigation revealed a pattern of lying by Kastner, including stories that he was a member of the Israeli special forces and that he had access to millions of dollars from an Israeli charitable organization.

Neal Sweeney: The 63-year-old Tulsa businessman was fatally shot in his office at Retail Fuels Marketing, 3158 S. 108th East Ave., on Sept. 4. He died the next day.

Police have said the shooting had the characteristics of a hit by someone who was familiar with the office complex where he worked.

Detectives have investigated several leads in the case but have been close to the vest with any new information about the killer or possible homicide plot. Police described it as one of the most complicated cases they have investigated in several years.

Sweeney was well-known and beloved within several communities and groups.

A group of friends who regularly ran with him honored him by wearing "Sweeney Strong" T-shirts during the Tulsa Run last year. He had used that phrase to encourage his family through times of adversity.

He was a longtime member and Sunday school teacher at the First United Methodist Church, which is having a "Sweeney Strong" fitness challenge this year.

Donivan Crutcher: The 16-year-old boy was slain and three other family members were injured Sept. 7 in a drive-by shooting that police said resulted from mistaken identity.

The slain teen's brother, Adrion Crutcher, 16, was paralyzed from the chest down. The shooting blinded Jeremy Williams, 18, in his left eye, and Jahmal Bryant, 17, suffered a collapsed lung from a gunshot to his upper back.

At least two of the teens had just attended church when they were fired upon by a shooter armed with an SKS rifle. The gunman mistakenly thought he was firing at gang rivals, police have said.

Charged with the attack are three teens, including one who testified that he had grown up with the victims and that he was sickened when he learned who was shot.

Roland Buck: At 89, Buck was Tulsa's oldest homicide victim of 2008 when he was robbed and slain in his home, at 3721 S. Gary Place. He was found dead on Nov. 20.

Two men, Francisco "Frank" Torres and William Kodi Nichols, have been arrested and charged with his death.

A witness told police that Nichols and Torres had waited in the victim's garage to "jump" the man when he returned home. The attackers threw a blanket over his head before dragging him into his house, an affidavit says.

When Buck's body was discovered days later, authorities determined that he had blunt-force trauma to his face and head. His hands and feet had been bound. His car and wallet had been stolen, and his pockets were turned inside out, records state.

2008 HOMICIDES BY THE NUMBERS

48 Number of male victims

89 Age of the oldest victim

14 Number of homicide cases still open

54 Number of homicides in Tulsa last year

6 Number of female victims

7 months Age of the youngest victim

36 Number who died from gunshot wounds

9 Number of homicides in July, deadliest month

Nicole Marshall 581-8459
nicole.marshall@tulsaworld.com By NICOLE MARSHALL World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment marlin, (1/4/2009 7:00:34 AM) Drugs/Gangs......legalize certain drugs and these murders will come to an end.
	Report Comment Big Harp, Florida (1/4/2009 7:44:11 AM) Legalization of drugs will not change the mind set of the gang banger, drugs don't give them the high their looking for, they just give them a source of Income, take that away and they still have robbery.
	Report Comment chase, rogers county (1/4/2009 8:05:17 AM) I guess I missed the part drugs played in these murders.
	Report Comment Eric, Tulsa (1/4/2009 9:20:11 AM) I mentioned this in a post, yesterday ("Police puzzled by branch robberies") and wondered why the Tulsa World didn't have anything on it. Upon getting my paper this morning, it was an "ah-ha!" moment. Makes sense to use this as a headliner in the Sunday paper. Good report. marlin - I wish it were that simple. I, for one, advocate decriminalization of marijuana and tax the heck out of it. But the problem is bigger than one or two substances and even if drugs were taken out of the equation, there are many other factors that cause gang violence. I suspect that the Tulsa police are finally on the right track to curb homicides due to gang violence. But there will always be those other circumstances that cause people to kill others. Clearly, the death penalty isn't a major deterrent. Perhaps a more hurtful form of punishment should be considered?
	Report Comment Dr. Strangelove, Tulsa (1/4/2009 10:43:42 AM) Thinking the same thing Eric. My first thought was Cory, but the posts don't have his same excellent sense of wit. I predict someone will bite on one of them by the end of the day though, haha
	Report Comment CWG, Tulsa (1/4/2009 11:05:00 AM) If abortion has anything to do with homocide rates, it would to cause an increase, there is less regard for a human life these days. If you kill a fetus that is wanted it is murder, if not wanted it is okay to kill it.
	Report Comment tfromtulsa, Tulsa (1/4/2009 4:31:35 PM) The only reason it dropped in '08 is because it was SO FREAKING HIGH in '07.
	Report Comment ShawnaS, Tulsa (1/4/2009 4:32:06 PM) Lunatk.. I hate to say this, and I don't agree exactly what you say... I kind of agree?? I guess what I see is that in many cases, crime increases when morals simply aren't taught. Morals can't be taught by immoral people. When people who can't even bear the responsibility of buying rubber at a drug store have children, we breed irresponsibility and immorality. So do I think there should be a license to have children.. sometimes! We have to have a license to breed dogs... where am I going with this? Back to take a nap!
	Report Comment hardball, (1/4/2009 5:22:16 PM) Lunatk: You are dead on! The gene pool is being poluted on an hourly basis and there are no consequences for the breeder/parent(s) for dumping their ilk on societies doorstep to feed, raise, and for DHS and taxpayers to take care of. It's confirmed every week in the "births" section of a couple of so-called Tulsie-town gratis hospitals which are actually the initial dumping ground. In the past they were called illegitimate bast*** but now due to the media, it appears to be some kind of Hollywood badge of honor. Yesterdays immorality is todays morality???? Worse, it seems to be acceptable and Stamped with the"Good House Keeping Seal of Approval" by the spineless "politically correct"!!
	Report Comment tiger, Tulsa (1/4/2009 5:50:41 PM) hardball.....I find your comments to be somewhat similar to another person's ideas I read years ago. His name was Adolph Hitler. Thank god for today's "politically correct" population; otherwise we would be saying seig heil and sending so-called unwanted babies to the gas chambers. Be careful about the ideas you suggest, they just might come true and guess what....your kids, grandkids or great grandkids just might be a victim of being one of the so-called unwanted group.
	Report Comment hardball, (1/4/2009 6:21:28 PM) Tiger: Adolf had the right idea,, just the wrong folks.
	Report Comment tbgalileo, Tulsa (1/4/2009 7:01:33 PM) Harball, you say that Adolph Hitler had the right idea. I think a lot of good Americans who died to defeat him and his philosophies might disagree with you, as would those of us in what you call the "civilized world" would. Your comments are just sick. I'd report them, but I think they serve as a good reminder to people that evil can still happen, even here in the USA. Those who ignore history are condemned to repeat it.
	Report Comment hardball, (1/4/2009 7:32:01 PM) tbgalileo: my ancestor that raised me fought against Nazi Germany in the U.S. Army and was fortunate to live thru it. Sadly he lived to see America sold out to Wall Street pimps and worthless greedy politicians that Smedley Butler denounced back in his youth. (Google: War is a racket) The "bottom feeders" will drag down the people that attempt to save them, to their level. If you exterminate them you eliminate repeat offenders, or,, if you believe in survival of the fittest,,, maybe in the future you will survive,, but maybe not, actually I doubt it. Your remark about history being condemned to repeating itself is very appropiate considering todays National and World economy going into the dumpster, just like the 30's and many times in the past 50 years,, also back when a wheel barrow full of dollars/German marks wouldn't purchase a loaf of bread. from my standpoint: Semper Fi, been there, done that,, and learned from it 40 years ago,, and have no intention of repeating past mistakes.
	Report Comment moogle, (1/4/2009 10:05:29 PM) Was it the intent of the headline to focus only on successful murders, or was there no decline in any other crime rate? Maybe some increases in the other rates that need to be swept under the rug?
	Report Comment tbgalileo, Tulsa (1/4/2009 10:19:29 PM) "The "bottom feeders" will drag down the people that attempt to save them, to their level. If you exterminate them you eliminate repeat offenders" Any reference to "exterminating" fellow Americans and their families because of the notion that they are "bottom feeders" is just plain sick and unworthy of anything this country stands for. That statement has to be the most un-American and offensive thing I have ever read on this board. I find it quite hypocritical that above you make a reference to yesterday's immorality being today's morality, and then you advocate a mindset that is universally regarded as not only barbaric, but also one of the most egregious mistakes in human history. Hitler was a genocidal lunatic. His legacy is one of the blackest and most monstrous in recorded history. My only regret is that the little coward killed himself and we weren't able to properly put him on trial and fully expose national socialism for everything that it truly was. It is very, very disturbing to see people in our society today admiring his handiwork.
	Report Comment Tulsa World General Editor Rusty Lang , tulsa (1/5/2009 3:16:04 PM) good job, Nicole.
	Report Comment sparklenowblow, (1/5/2009 6:38:26 PM) Jump on Sarah Palin who has nothing to do with this. Tulsa has a gang/drug problem that needs tending to FAST!
	Report Comment Damajah, University of Kansas (1/18/2009 11:35:06 AM) I think the fact that we are immersed in a culture that believes that shooting people is the best way to solve petty differences, is going to be with us for a while. If you go into a video store, you might be taken aback by the fact, that three out of four of the labels on the video cases have pictures of men and sometimes women, carrying or pointing large caliber weapons. Fantasy becomes reality for people who's only source of adult contact comes from movies. Where does a so-called "gang-banger" get an SKS rifle from in the first place? He makes one in his basement? Where did he get the ammunition? We need to use our brains, and develop technological alternatives to guns, and start making inroads to getting some of them off of the streets.
	Report Comment mayor_maynot, Tulsa (9/15/2009 12:58:01 PM) Right on Damajha. But guess what you weak brained socialist. It was forged into constitutional rights. You know the right to bear arms. Just try to take that away and a good ole gun totin person in the USA just might shoot you. 99.9 percent of gun owners are doing the right thing. Don't try and rock the boat with the other tenth of a percent. As for me I'm going to shoot ya with a camera. Peer pressure is the greatest deterrent to undesirable activity. Why do You think so many other questionable activities remain in the closet.

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