Tulsa World: Felon given life term for arson

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Felon given life term for arson
He faces added charges after an escape attempt Thursday.

CONVICTED
Antonio C. Myrie Jr.: He was found guilty Friday of seven felonies: five counts of concealing or receiving stolen property and single counts of first-degree arson and second-degree burglary. The jury imposed a life prison term for the arson and 30-year sentences on the other six counts. He was also fined $37,500.

By BILL BRAUN World Staff Writer
Published: 11/21/2009 2:28 AM
Last Modified: 11/21/2009 5:45 AM

A frequent felon incurred stiff sentences at a Tulsa County trial Friday and picked up three new counts tied to an escape after Thursday's court session.

Jurors found Antonio C. Myrie Jr. guilty Friday of seven felonies — five counts of concealing or receiving stolen property and single counts of first-degree arson and second-degree burglary.

The jury imposed a life prison term for the arson and 30-year sentences on the other six counts. Myrie, 29, also was fined a total of $37,500.

Tulsa churches were the victims in the stolen property offenses, records show.

District Judge William Kellough will determine whether the sentences will run concurrently or consecutively at a Nov. 30 formal sentencing.

Assistant District Attorney Erik Grayless said he thinks consecutive sentences are appropriate for Myrie.

In the trial's sentencing stage, jurors heard evidence that Myrie accumulated 10 felony convictions in Tulsa County between 1999 and 2005 for burglary, unauthorized vehicle use, attempted auto larceny, concealing or receiving stolen property, possessing a stolen vehicle, escape, larceny of merchandise from a retailer, and placing bodily fluids on a government employee.

Regarding the burglary and arson counts resolved this week, Grayless asserted that Myrie broke into Name Brand Clothing, 7215 S. Memorial Drive, in August 2008 and set the store on fire.

On Thursday, Myrie escaped from a sheriff's deputy as he was being led from a van back into the Tulsa Jail about 6:50 p.m., a spokesman for the Sheriff's Office said.

Two deputies were present when Myrie, who was handcuffed, broke free and ran toward the east doors of the sally port, where prisoners are brought into the jail.

Tulsa police caught him about 10 minutes later not far from the jail. He had escaped from his handcuffs and changed clothes, reports state.

Prosecutors charged Myrie on Friday with escape, carrying a handcuff key to aid in an escape, and malicious injury to property owned by the Sheriff's Office, records show.

Bill Braun 581-8455
bill.braun@tulsaworld.com By BILL BRAUN World Staff Writer

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Temporarily escaped inmate convicted upon return to court Friday ," which was published on 11/20/2009.

	Report Comment HVJ, (11/20/2009 10:08:38 PM) Let's see if I've got this right, in Tulsa you get 17 strikes [felonies] and then you're out, correct?
	Report Comment Bonasera the Undertaker, Brooklyn (11/20/2009 10:34:08 PM) Jack-Ash
	Report Comment Corvetteguy, Tulsa (11/20/2009 10:34:29 PM) Once again,...........is there any so-called leader in this entire city that will step up to the plate and demand that Tulsa is cleaned up of scum............................?
	Report Comment FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/20/2009 10:40:05 PM) How in the world did he get his hands on a handcuff key?
	Report Comment Elusive, Owasso (11/20/2009 10:40:43 PM) Lesson learned by TPD to search suspects pockets better after they cuff them.
	Report Comment Elusive, Owasso (11/20/2009 10:41:11 PM) He has that deer in headlights look.
	Report Comment oldtulsan, (11/20/2009 11:11:40 PM) Of course he has that 'deer in headlights' look...for that is only natural after the final 'gotcha' mug shot. Now, after knowing he's gonna see 'real time'..the constant 'collect phone calls' will start with his family among the other realities of knowing someone doing time with DOC. Oh well, when you play..you do pay..eventually.
	Report Comment WhereIsThought, Raleigh (11/20/2009 11:52:14 PM) Corvetteguy, What exactly is your point? Do you HAVE a point? Oh, wait a minute, I get your point. Criminals - bad. Thanks. Thanks for pointing that out.
	Report Comment jk18, Tulsa (11/21/2009 12:40:54 AM) Elusive- FYI Tulsa County transported him back to booking not TPD. They always transport to and from court.
	Report Comment irwindale, Tulsa (11/21/2009 12:51:51 AM) Lets solve this once and for all. Crime occurs. Police respond. Police with presence can prevent. Sixty percent plus of Our Tulsa police department are out of town at any given time. Should we decide to pay you 35k to 150k per year you will need to reside in Tulsa proper. Watch the crime go down, revenues and home sales go up in Tulsa. Yes Tulsa. Now you know why the burbs have lower crime rates. Tulsa PD live there. Watch the unions...and the money.
	Report Comment aint missbehavin, .. (11/21/2009 1:14:52 AM) I found myself in a situation much like him only I didnt go as far as he did....I bought a pair of shorts at a simular store,wouldnt fit,took them back,none the size I needed(yeah well,we all been eatin good lately,now havent we?)told them that I needed a refund,ha they laughed at me and pointed to a sign in the corner,no exchange...I was pretty heated up myself by gosh!
	Report Comment Elusive, Owasso (11/21/2009 4:25:08 AM) Wow, life in prison for arson of a clothing store closed at night. I realize he was frequent flyer at the jailhouse but this seems a bit much. You would think they would only do that for arson if someone was in danger. Oh well, another frequent felon off our streets.
	Report Comment CWG, Tulsa (11/21/2009 8:13:07 AM) Elusive, read the story again, seven convictions.
	Report Comment Few Clothes, America (11/21/2009 1:15:31 PM) The faces remain the same, only the name changes.
	Report Comment okie ridgerunner, Small Country Town State Line (11/21/2009 1:47:32 PM) Good news. He will be gone.
	Report Comment mayor_maynot, Tulsa (11/21/2009 4:05:05 PM) The facts remain elusive to elusive. Elusive reads story just like TPD enforces law. TPD selective enforcement. Elusive selective retention. All except for the donuts then elusive soaks it all up.
	Report Comment FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/21/2009 6:12:55 PM) He's had his chances. Now it's time to warehouse him for the rest of his life.
	Report Comment Elusive, Owasso (11/21/2009 6:32:51 PM) "The jury imposed a life prison term for the arson" I can read just fine, can you?
	Report Comment Mr. Brown, Kanagawa, Japan (11/22/2009 2:20:40 AM) One down, many more to go.
	Report Comment lottiedah, Outskirts (11/23/2009 9:00:28 AM) Throw the book at him. He is a career criminal and will only continue. why not? It seems to sorta work for him. In jail he can smoke dope, receive stolen goods and steal from other felons. He will be right at home and get a cot,3 meals a day and medical care when he is attacked. Sounds perfect.
	Report Comment forkandknife, Tulsa (11/23/2009 10:35:32 AM) Dumb.

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