Juvenile charged in shooting death of Creek County man
BY RHETT MORGAN World Staff Writer
Friday, October 26, 2012
10/26/12 at 7:19 AM
SAPULPA - A juvenile has been charged in connection with the slaying of a 64-year-old Creek County man in August, a prosecutor said Thursday.
The count stems from the Aug. 8 homicide of Roy Lavon Varnell Sr., who died of a gunshot wound to the head at his home in Olive, east of Drumright, Assistant District Attorney Laura Fariss said.
Citing confidentiality provisions of the state juvenile code, Creek County District Attorney Max Cook declined to identify the charge or the name, age or gender of the accused.
The fatal projectile entered Varnell's left cheek before lodging in his brain, according to the autopsy report from the state Medical Examiner's Office. Varnell also had a gunshot graze wound to his left hand, the report shows.
The body of Varnell was found in his recliner, Creek County Undersheriff John Davis said in an August interview. Varnell's 12-year-old grandson, who said he was sleeping on a couch next to Varnell, told authorities he awoke to a gunshot and the perpetrator fleeing out the back door, Davis said.
The boy was unable to provide a description of the gunman. Authorities discovered no forced entry into the home.
During an interview with Lt. Les Ruhman, the 12-year-old requested an attorney after being read his Miranda rights, police reports show. Questioning was then terminated, records indicate.
As part of the investigation, gunshot residue tests were performed on the 12-year-old, as well as an 8-year-old granddaughter who was staying at the residence because wildfires had taken out the electricity at her parents' home, according to Davis and police reports.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation processed the crime scene, which included the seizure of four rifles from a gun cabinet, a .410 shotgun from a bedroom and a .22-caliber bolt-action rifle from the kitchen, records show. Also sent to the OSBI was a projectile taken from Varnell's head.
About a week after the homicide, Davis said, "as far as any safety concerns that the public has, at this point, I don't see that."
Varnell's wife, Janie Varnell, told authorities that she couldn't remember whether she locked the door when she left that morning at 5, records indicate. Creek County ambulance officials confirmed Roy Varnell's death at 10:36 a.m. that day, records show.
One of Varnell's sons said the boy's grandparents had custody of him because his mother is in prison, records indicate.
The boy's mother pleaded guilty in October 2010 in McIntosh County to a reduced charge of accessory after the fact to first-degree murder and received a 45-year sentence, according to documents.
Original Print Headline: Juvenile charged in shooting death of Creek County man
Rhett Morgan 918-581-8395
rhett.morgan@tulsaworld.com
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