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Yahoo
20 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Person of Interest in Unsolved Murder Case Dies by Suicide While on Zoom Call with Authorities: Reports
A person of interest in an unsolved 2010 Oklahoma murder case shot himself in the head as he was questioned about the killing during a video call with authorities, according to reports Michael Wayne Thomas, 54, had insisted he had no involvement in the November 2010 death of Julie Mitchell, 34, per The Oklahoman "It was as shocking and horrific as you can imagine," Thomas' attorney, Ed Blau, told the outlet of his client's death on Saturday, May 31A person of interest in a 2010 Oklahoma murder case shot himself dead while being questioned about the killing on a Zoom call with authorities, according to reports. On Saturday, May 31, Michael Wayne Thomas, 54, died by suicide in a wooded area outside a casino in Kansas, per The Oklahoman, citing his attorney, Ed Blau. The Oklahoma City Police Department (OCPD) had been asking the man about Julie Mitchell, who was found beaten to death in her home in November 2010, as her 13-month-old baby laid untouched by her side, local ABC-affiliated station KOCO reported. The case remains unsolved. Blau had been representing Thomas since 2012, with the attorney telling KOCO 5 News that his client had previously been interviewed five or six times by police. Thomas had reportedly refused to be interviewed in person this time, instead opting for a video call. Blau said that his client — who had denied any involvement in 34-year-old Mitchell's murder — had been talking for around 45 minutes before his death, per The Oklahoman. "The phone landed right by his head so we got to hear him die, hear the death rattle," the attorney told the outlet on Tuesday, June 3. "It was as shocking and horrific as you can imagine." The OCPD's Master Sergeant, Gary Knight, said of Thomas, "He had agreed to be interviewed by detectives, but only on the stipulation that he wasn't going to be at the same location. He wanted to be in a manner like a Zoom call," per KOCO. "Beggars can't always be choosers, and this is somebody we wanted to talk to, we needed to talk to. There were questions we needed to have answered by him," Knight continued, telling the outlet that the questions remained unanswered around 40 minutes into the call. "He chose to pull out a pistol and shoot himself, ending his life," Knight said, per the station, adding, "I don't remember in my time here, 35 years here, someone killing themselves during an interview." According to The Oklahoman, Julie Mitchell was the wife of Teddy Mitchell, who had been accused in Oklahoma City federal court of reportedly hosting "illegal high-stakes poker games at his home and taking illegal bets on sporting events." Per an FBI Oklahoma City Division release, in January 2014, Teddy Mitchell was sentenced to serve 27 months in federal prison for running an illegal gambling operation. Mitchell had been traveling to California at the time of his wife's death, The Oklahoman noted. Julie Mitchell's body had been found in the master bedroom closet of their home and $30,000 was reportedly missing from a closet safe, The Oklahoman reported. Thomas' company checkbook had previously been found at the Mitchells' property after the murder, but he's always denied any involvement in the killing, the outlet stated. He told The Oklahoman in 2012, "I — 100% — did not. That's for sure.' Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Thomas, who previously sold insurance in an office in Edmond, reportedly told the FBI that he'd played poker at Teddy Mitchell's house, as well as placing bets with him, per the outlet, which cited a 2011 report. He also told authorities he'd let Teddy Mitchell become a partner in his business to help pay off his gambling debt, after providing him with vehicles and real estate insurance. "I really hope you solve the case," Thomas told OCPD's Knight, The Oklahoman reported. The officer added that Thomas was still considered a person of interest amid the unsolved investigation. The OCPD and Blau's law firm didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to Read the original article on People
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Oklahoma made child rape eligible for the death penalty, shirking a Supreme Court ruling
Oklahoma has opened the door for prosecutors to seek the death penalty against someone convicted of rape involving a child under 14 years old, even though capital punishment in such cases has been ruled unconstitutional. Senate Bill 599 was signed into law and becomes effective in November. Current state law allows the death penalty for a second or subsequent conviction of that crime. The bill approved by lawmakers and signed by the governor allows district attorneys to request the convicted be executed after one offense. "Does there have to be a second child? Or is one enough?" asked state Rep. and former prosecutor Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, during debate on the House floor this year. Prosecutors seeking the death penalty in these cases, however, face an almost insurmountable obstacle: the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2008, the court ruled in Kennedy v. Louisiana that the death penalty cannot be imposed for crimes where the victim did not die or where the victim's death was not intended. The bill's author, state Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, told TV news station KOCO that he is confident that the high court will eventually revisit the ruling. Despite the renewed political desire to execute child rapists, capital punishment has become an even rarer sentence imposed by courts in Oklahoma and across the nation. It's been three years since someone has been sentenced to death in an Oklahoma court. Nationwide, there were 26 new death sentences imposed in 2024, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. In 2010, there were more than 100. More: Oklahoma death row: Could Stacy Drake be state's first death sentence in three years? The bill garnered broad support, mostly along party lines, from both the Oklahoma Senate and House of Representatives. Despite acknowledging the heinous nature of the crime, some Democratic lawmakers had pointed questions about unintended effects. They expressed concern that if perpetrators know they are eligible for the death penalty anyway, a rapist might care less about keeping their victim alive. Others warned that children might be discouraged from reporting or testifying against a family member if it could mean their execution. State Rep. Michelle McCane, a Democrat from Tulsa, revealed during debate against the measure that she was a victim of sexual assault as a child. "It would have added to my trauma and likely would have made me hesitate to tell on the offender if I had thought the consequence could be they get the death penalty," she said. "Not because I didn't want them to have a severe consequence, not because I was not hurt and upset, but as a small child, that would have been a really big burden to bear and I don't think I would have come forward if that was the case." McCane also questioned the bill's House co-author whether the death penalty is an effective deterrent. "I don't know if it reduces crimes," replied state Rep. Tim Turner, R-Kinta, "but it shows that cowards who commit these crimes get the sentence they deserve." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Death penalty for child rape: Oklahoma law challenges SCOTUS ruling
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Man proposes to girlfriend in front of swirling tornado in Oklahoma: ‘Couldn't have asked for a more…'
In a moment straight out of a romantic novel, Matt Michell proposed to Becky Patel in front of a swirling tornado in Arnett, Oklahoma, as powerful winds roared around them. A friend captured the dramatic scene on camera, and the photos and video have since made waves on social media. Patel shared the emotional experience on Facebook, writing, 'On May 18th in Arnett, Oklahoma, in front of the most amazing tornado, Matt Michell got down on one knee and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. I think my squealing and jumping tells you what my answer was!' Also read: South Korean mother reunites with abducted daughter after 44 years, now suing government over illegal adoption In the video, Michell is heard saying, 'I love you, baby,' as Patel hugs him and jumps up and down with excitement. The couple stands smiling in front of their SUV, with the tornado visibly swirling in the distance. Photos from the moment show Patel proudly displaying her new engagement ring, an oval-cut diamond with a pavé band, while beaming with joy. 'I couldn't have asked for a more epic proposal! Matt, you make me feel like the luckiest girl in the world, and I love you with all my heart,' she added. 💍🌪️🥰 The most unforgettable 'yes!' On May 18th in Arnett, Oklahoma, in front of the most amazing tornado, Matt Michell... Patel, who hails from Canada, told local outlet KLAW that Michell, an Illinois native, has been chasing tornadoes for six years as a guide for Tempest Tours. She joined one of the tours last year, where they met. "I was only supposed to chase for two weeks but Matt asked me to stick around with him and chase with him for an extra week, so I did!" she recalled. Since then, the pair has chased several storms together, including a major tornado in Wyoming. Also read: Woman files for divorce after ChatGPT 'exposes' husband's affair through coffee cup But none of those adventures compare to this one, both for the scale of the tornado and the significance it now holds in their love story. KOCO meteorologist Damon Lane praised the timing, calling it 'a perfectly timed engagement!' Also read: Kolkata's Arnav Daga sets four Guinness records with deck of cards in one day: 'Wanted to test my limits'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
9 People Wounded in Mass Shooting at Popular Oklahoma City Food Court During Thunder Playoff Game
On May 5, gunfire erupted during a Cinco de Mayo event at The Collective, a popular food hall in Oklahoma City, injuring nine people Police believe two shooters were involved in an altercation that led to the violence, but the investigation is still ongoing The Collective wants to provide counseling for employees and set up a fund to help victims with medical expenses Seven people were shot and two others were injured by flying glass during a shooting at a popular Oklahoma City food hall. The shooting took place on May 5 at The Collective, a food hall and bar in Oklahoma City, police said, according to The Oklahoman, KOCO news and KFOR. Around 11 p.m., police responded to multiple reports of shots being fired at The Collective, according to the outlets. When officers arrived on scene, they found numerous gunshot victims. The Oklahoman reported that four of the shooting victims were in critical condition but were expected to survive. The Collective was reportedly hosting a Cinco de Mayo event that evening, with the Oklahoma City Thunder playoff game airing on televisions throughout the food hall, when police say an altercation broke out and shots were fired, according to The Oklahoman. Police believe two people were firing guns and no arrests have been made yet. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Now, the foodhall is focusing on the cleanup, providing mental health and counseling services to its employees, Nathan Wiewel, a spokesperson for The Collective told The Oklahoman. He added the business is setting up a fund to help victims with medical bills. 'We love Oklahoma City here at The Collective, and our hearts go out to everyone who was affected by this situation,' Wiewel said to the outlet. 'It's really upsetting and it just breaks our heart, but we are praying and we're really routing for the recovery of Oklahoma City and Midtown from this situation.' The investigation into the shooting is still in the early stages, police told the outlets. Read the original article on People
New York Post
21-04-2025
- Climate
- New York Post
Mom and her 12-year-old son killed in 'historical' storms
A mother and her 12-year-old son were among three killed in 'historical' storms that slammed Oklahoma when their car was swept away in flood waters. Erika Lott, 44, and her 12-year-old son Rivers Bond were inside one of two stranded vehicles in flood waters in Moore, south of Oklahoma City, late Saturday, the Moore Police Department said. The mother and son were eventually found dead in their swept-away car at around 2 a.m. Sunday after an extensive search, KOCO reported. Advertisement Another person inside the vehicle was able to be rescued, the outlet said. Bond was a sixth-grade student at Apple Creek Elementary, which is near the location of the crash, the school told the outlet. The county responded to dozens of other reports of 'high water incidents,' police said. Advertisement 4 The Moore Police Department responded to reports of cars swept away by severe flooding on Saturday evening. KWTV-DT 'This was a historical weather event that impacted roads and resulted in dozens of high-water incidents across the city,' Moore police said in a statement Sunday. The storm also killed one person about 80 miles southeast in Spaulding after tornadoes touched down in the area, according to the Hughes County Emergency Management. 4 Facebook / Erika Lott Advertisement 4 Erika Lott and her son, Rivers Bond, were killed in the flooding. They are survived by husband and father, Jason Lott. Facebook / Erika Lott Several homes and structures were destroyed, and there were 'numerous washouts' of county roads, the department wrote in a Facebook post. The tornado, which 'skipped and jumped around' over a path of 6 to 7 miles in the rural area, seemed to track across the north side of town to a shopping center, 'leaving a lot of damage to buildings, power lines and trees,' Jason Keck, Ada director of emergency management, said in a Facebook post. At least two tornadoes also crossed Parker County in Texas on Saturday, ripping off the roofs of several homes, photos showed. Advertisement 4 Several homes and structures were destroyed as tornadoes touched down in other parts of Oklahoma. AP On Sunday, the storm moved northeast, bringing a high risk of damaging hail, wind, and heavy rain in Arkansas, Missouri, southern Illinois, and southeastern Iowa. The severe weather left thousands in Missouri without power. Additional heavy rain is expected across parts of the Plains this week. There is a high risk of more flooding as streams and the ground are already inundated with water, Bob Oravec, lead forecaster with the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center, told the AP. A GoFundMe to support funeral and medical costs for Jason Lott, a first responder who lost his wife, Erika Lott, and son Bond, has raised over $10,000 of its $15,000 goal as of Monday. With Post wires.
