Sand Springs man handed life term in woman's 2011 killing
BY BILL BRAUN World Staff Writer
Saturday, December 01, 2012
12/01/12 at 5:49 AM
A Sand Springs man received a no-parole life prison sentence Friday for a domestic homicide in Tulsa.
A Tulsa County jury found James E. Darton, 25, guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of Kimberly Ragland, 29, who was found dead in her car in May 2011.
Prosecutors Erik Grayless and Amanda Self maintained that Darton shot Ragland four times with a handgun at close range.
The only other punishment option the jury was given was life with parole possible.
In addition to life without parole for murder, Darton incurred sentences of 20 and 10 years, respectively, after he was found guilty of possessing a firearm as a felon and of the domestic assault and battery of Ragland at a Tulsa apartment before the shooting.
The jury also fined him $17,500.
Ragland's body was found in the passenger seat of her car by police who were called to the 5300 block of South Wheeling Avenue about 12:05 a.m. May 9, 2011, by Heller Park-area residents who had heard gunshots.
No gun was found in the vehicle.
Police were told that Darton and Ragland had been involved in a "heated" and "physical" disturbance shortly before her body was found, according to an arrest report.
Defense attorney Brian Rayl asserted that there was no physical evidence to implicate Darton.
In an application for a protective order in May 2011, Ragland indicated that she and the defendant previously were in a dating relationship.
Darton did not testify at his trial in District Judge William Kellough's court.
He has been in the Tulsa Jail for more than 18 months, records show.
Darton has previous felony convictions for attempted larceny and a drug offense, records show.
Original Print Headline: Killer gets no-parole life term
Bill Braun 918-581-8455
bill.braun@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
James E. Darton: Prosecutors said Darton, 25, shot Kimberly Ragland, 29, four times with a handgun at close range. Her body was found in the passenger seat of her car by police who were summoned about 12:05 a.m. May 9, 2011, by Heller Park-area residents who had heard gunshots
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