Weleetka killings of two girls

Overview: On June 8, 2008, Taylor Paschal-Placker, 13, and Skyla Whitaker, 11, were shot multiple times along a rural Okfuskee County road near Weleetka, just yards from the Placker home.

More than three years later, authorities have charged a man with the killings.

Kevin Sweat, 25, of Henryetta was charged with two counts of first-degree murder on Dec. 9, 2011. Sweat had been in custody since Aug. 3, when he was arrested in connection with the death of his girlfriend, 23-year-old Ashley Taylor.

This page provides continuing coverage of the case. Contact the reporter working on this story, Staff Writer Cary Aspinwall, at 918-581-8477 or cary.aspinwall@tulsaworld.com.

Headlines

Third anniversary brings memories but no suspects in slayings 6/8/2011

Three years after two young girls were slain on a county road near Weleetka, their families still fervently cling to the hope that their killers will be found.

Kevin Sweat, charged with slaying two Weleetka girls, bound over for trial in death of girlfriend 5/23/2012

A man charged in the slayings of two girls in Weleetka was bound over for trial on Tuesday on another charge of first-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend.

Man charged with killing Weleetka girls bound over for trial in girlfriend's death 5/22/2012

A man charged in the slayings of two girls in Weleetka was bound over for trial on Tuesday on another charge of first-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend.

Sweat makes first court appearance in Weleetka slayings 12/13/2011

Kevin Sweat made his first appearance before a judge Tuesday after being charged in the slayings of two Weleetka girls in 2008.

Man accused in Weleetka deaths in court 12/14/2011

Kevin Sweat made his first appearance before a judge Tuesday after being charged last week in the slayings of two Weleetka girls in 2008.

Weleetka killing accused man gets continuance 4/24/2012

A judge granted a continuance Monday at a preliminary hearing for a man who is accused of killing his girlfriend last summer and two girls near Weleetka in 2008.

Weleetka murder suspect's hearing postponed in death of girlfriend 4/23/2012

The scheduled preliminary hearing for Kevin Sweat, 26, was to hear evidence related to the death of Ashley Taylor, 23, who authorities believe was killed by Sweat last summer. Martin rescheduled the preliminary hearing for the Taylor case for 9:15 a.m. May 22 in the Okfuskee County Courthouse.

Kevin Sweat to appear in court Tuesday on Weleetka case 12/13/2011

The initial court appearance for a Henryetta man who is accused of killing two Weleetka girls in 2008 is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

OSBI offers reward for information about gun 9/30/2011

Agents with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation are asking for help locating the gun that authorities believe was used in the 2008 killings of two girls near Weleetka.

OSBI: Gun used in Weleetka girls' slayings sold at March gun show in Tulsa 10/14/2011

One of the guns used to kill two Weleetka girls in 2008 likely was sold at a Tulsa gun show this year, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

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Timeline

June 8, 2008
On a Sunday afternoon, Taylor Paschal-Placker, 13, and Skyla Whitaker, 11, are gunned down along Country Line Road northeast of Weleetka, a short distance from Paschal-Placker's home.

June 13, 2008
More than 500 members of the Weleetka community attend a memorial as authorities scramble to find a suspect without an eyewitness or many clues.

Aug. 8, 2008
Authorities release details of the autopsy report, which showed both girls were shot in their legs, torso, neck and at the base of their skulls with a total of 13 shots.

September 2008
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation officials reduce investigators from more than a dozen to four on the case as leads decrease significantly.

July 2009
The reward is raised to $160,000 for information leading to a break in the case after nearly a year of investigating.

June 2010
Authorities and the girls' family members beg the public for help in solving the 2-year-old slayings.

June 2011
Three years after slayings, officials announce they have no suspects.

July 15, 2011
Family members of 23-year-old Ashley Taylor see her for the last time.

July 17, 2011
Taylor tells her family that she and Kevin J. Sweat, 25, are going to Louisiana to get married.

July 29, 2011
Taylor is reported missing.

July 30, 2011
Sweat tells police that he got into an argument with Taylor on U.S. 75 but left her alive and well on the side of the road.

Aug. 1, 2011
Sweat tells police he wasn't telling the truth during the first interview. He told police he "caused Ashley's death."

Aug. 3
Sweat is arrested and held in Seminole County jail without bond.

Aug. 9, 2011
Authorities find human remains near where Sweat told police to look.

Aug. 12, 2011
Sweat is charged with first-degree murder in Taylor's death.

Oct. 1, 2011
OSBI announces that the gun used to slay the Weleetka girls may have been sold at a Tulsa gun show in March.

Nov. 11, 2011
Taylor's family tells the media that they told OSBI of comments Sweat made about the Weleetka killings.

Dec. 9, 2011
OSBI announces charges against Sweat in the 2008 slayings of the Weleetka girls.

Jan. 28, 2013
Preliminary hearing in Okfuskee County District Court for Sweat, who is charged with first-degree murder.