Fairmont Terrace defendant's lawyer seeks filings under seal, meeting with judge

BY BILL BRAUN World Staff Writer
Thursday, March 21, 2013
3/21/13 at 4:31 AM

Get complete coverage: Read about the Fairmont Terrace quadruple homicide and the Tulsa World’s investigation of the area.

The recently appointed lead counsel for one of two brothers who are accused of murdering four people at a Tulsa apartment complex has asked to file some pleadings in the case under seal - meaning not available for public view.

An attorney for Cedric Dwayne Poore also requests an in-chambers hearing - not open to the public or prosecution - "concerning certain privileged matters," which could include an application for funds to pay for expert and investigative services on Poore's behalf, a court document shows.

The state Court of Criminal Appeals has ruled that when an indigent defendant applies for funding for expert or investigative services, the District Attorney's Office is not to attend the hearing, defense attorney John Echols indicated.

A hearing on the matter is set for Thursday before District Judge William Kellough.

Poore, 39, and his brother, James Stanford Poore, 32, are each charged with four counts of first-degree murder and two counts of armed robbery. Cedric Poore is also charged with possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

The Poores are accused of murdering Julie Jackson, 55; Misty Nunley, 33; Rebeika Powell, 23; and her twin sister, 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, and their hands were bound, police said.

District Attorney Tim Harris has not announced whether his office will seek the death penalty in the case. Tulsa County prosecutors typically make that decision after the preliminary hearing.

Echols is a former attorney with the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System, where he specialized in defending cases involving requests for the death penalty.

Kellough appointed Echols, who formally entered the case March 13.

James Poore has retained a private attorney, Kathy Fry.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 2, but that date could be subject to change with the recent appointment of Echols, who has filed several motions.

According to the Poore brothers' arrest reports, the men told witnesses they were "going to pull a lick" - a robbery - at Powell's apartment. Cedric Poore was armed with a .40-caliber pistol, according to police.

James Poore told police he knew that at least one of the victims used and sold illegal drugs, according to the arrest report.

Witnesses told police that the men said they shot the women because the women could identify them.

James Poore said he shot one of the victims and that Cedric Poore shot the rest, the arrest report alleges.

Echols said Wednesday that it appears police received a "tremendous amount of contradictory information" concerning the case.

Original Print Headline: Lawyer wants filings under seal

Bill Braun 918-581-8455
bill.braun@tulsaworld.com

Associated Images:

Cedric Dwayne Poore: Poore, 39, and his brother, James Stanford Poore, 32, are each charged with four counts of first-degree murder and two counts of armed robbery. They are accused of killing Julie Jackson, 55; Misty Nunley, 33; Rebeika Powell, 23; and her twin sister, Kayetie Powell Melchor, 23, at the Fairmont Terrace apartment complex on Jan. 7.