Defendant in Fairmont killings pleads not guilty; arraignment delayed for co-defendant
BY BILL BRAUN World Staff Writer
Saturday, February 23, 2013
2/23/13 at 6:18 AM
Get complete coverage: Read about the Fairmont Terrace quadruple homicide and the Tulsa World’s investigation of the area.
With both defendants now charged with four counts of first-degree murder, the court process in the case involving the fatal shootings of four Tulsa women saw some movement Friday.
Cedric Dwayne Poore, 39, and James Stanford Poore, 32, made brief appearances Friday before Special Judge Charles Hogshead via video hookup between the Tulsa Jail and a Tulsa County courtroom.
In a routine procedure at this stage of the case, Hogshead entered a not-guilty plea on behalf of James Poore and scheduled an April 2 preliminary hearing for him.
An arraignment for Cedric Poore was postponed until March 1, so no plea was entered for him.
The Tulsa County Public Defender's Office indicated that it has a conflict involving representation of prospective prosecution witnesses in the quadruple-murder case that prevents it from representing Cedric Poore.
Tulsa County District Judge William Kellough will appoint an attorney to represent him. James Poore is represented by private defense attorney Kathy Fry.
The Poore brothers were each charged Thursday with four counts of first-degree murder and two counts of armed robbery. Cedric Poore alone is charged with possessing a firearm after a felony conviction.
The Poores are being held without bail on the murder counts. They are accused of murdering Julie Jackson, 55; Misty Nunley, 33; Rebeika Powell, 23; and Kayetie Powell Melchor, 23, at the Fairmont Terrace apartment complex near 61st Street and Peoria Avenue on Jan. 7.
All four women were shot in the head with their hands bound behind their back, police said.
According to arrest reports, the men told witnesses they were "going to pull a lick" - a robbery - at Powell's apartment, in the same building where they were staying.
Witnesses told police that the men said they shot the women because they could identify them.
First Assistant District Attorney Doug Drummond said the District Attorney's Office will follow standard policy and decide after the preliminary hearings whether to pursue the death penalty.
There is "no question" that the issue will be evaluated by the District Attorney's Office at the appropriate time, and "there is no question there will be some serious discussion," he said Friday.
In a separate case, James Poore alone was charged Thursday with shooting with an intent to kill and armed robbery in connection with crimes that occurred Jan. 5. An April 2 preliminary hearing is also slated in that case.
Original Print Headline: Plea entered for murder defendant
Bill Braun 918-581-8455
bill.braun@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Cedric Dwayne Poore (left) and James Stanford Poore: The brothers are charged with murder in the Jan. 7 slayings of four women at the Fairmont Terrace apartment complex
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