Pair charged with murders, hate crimes in Good Friday shootings
BY JERRY WOFFORD World Staff Writer
Friday, April 13, 2012
12/28/12 at 8:57 AM
Related stories: Continuing coverage of Good Friday shootings
The two men accused of shooting three people to death and injuring two last week were formally charged Friday with the deaths and with violating Oklahoma’s hate crime statute.
Jacob Carl England, 19, and Alvin Lee Watts, 33, were charged with three counts each of first-degree murder, two counts of shooting with intent to kill and five counts of malicious intimidation or harassment.
Dannaer Fields, 49, Bobby Clark, 54, and William Allen, 31, were shot to death in the early morning hours of April 6. David Hall, 46, and Deon Tucker, 44, were both shot but survived.
"Filing charges is the first step to obtain justice for the victims and their families," said Doug Drummond, Tulsa County first assistant district attorney. "This is a tragic and senseless crime. Our office is committed to holding those responsible accountable for their actions."
In a press release from the District Attorney’s Office, Drummond said the charges, including the malicious intimidation charges, came after prosecutors “reviewed the evidence and determined these charges to be appropriate."
According to Oklahoma statute, malicious harassment occurs when a person acts "maliciously and with the specific intent to intimidate or harass another person because of that person's race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin or disability." The statute provides a maximum sentence of up to one year and a $1,000 fine, according to the release.
The charges state that each of the victims were shot because of their “race, color, ancestry or national origin.”
Each of the first-degree murder charges carries a potential sentence of life with parole, life without parole or potentially the death penalty. The shooting with intent to kill charges carry a maximum of life in prison.
The next court appearance for England and Watts is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday at the Tulsa County Courthouse.
Associated Images:
Jake England, 19, and Alvin Watts, 33, were each formally charged Friday with three counts each of first-degree murder, two counts of shooting with intent to kill and five counts of malicious intimidation or harassment, violating Oklahoma's hate crimes statute. Courtesy
|
