Jury finds man competent to stand trial:
On April 29, 2008 after deliberating for approximately 50 minutes a Pittsburg
County jury found Clint Baker competent to stand trial for the murder of Todd
Rich. Clint Baker was charged in the District Court of Pittsburg County on
March 17, 2007 with Murder in the First Degree. Mr. Baker’s jury trial is
scheduled on the August 2008 Jury Docket.
Pittsburg & Haskell County
It is the
mission of the
District
Attorney’s
Office to repre-sent
the people of
District 18, to
help provide a
safer community
for all, to hold
offenders
accountable for
their crimes and
to insure that no
victim is left be-hind.
We will up-hold
the law and
Constitutions of
the State of
Oklahoma
and the
United States.
Assistant
District
Attorney’s
Pittsburg
Richard L. Hull
Mike Miller
Wade Dodson
Lisa Birdwell
Haskell
Russell Tacheira
2008 Vol. 2
On April 14, 2008 Pittsburg County Drug Court con-ducted
its first graduation. Seven people who were fac-ing
years and years in prison because of drug charges
successfully completed the 18-24 month program and
have started a new life without drugs.
Pittsburg County: On May 27, 2008 the District Attorney’s Office received
notice that Franklin Gibbs’ appeal was denied and that the verdict of Life
without Parole was upheld by the Court of Criminal Appeals.
Pittsburg County: On May 1, 2008 a jury decided that an Oklahoma State
Penitentiary inmate, Garry Thomas Allen, is sane and can be executed. In
November of 1986 Garry Allen committed the crime of murder in the first
degree in Oklahoma City. Garry Allen gunned down his girlfriend outside
of a daycare center, just four days after she had moved out of his home with
their two children. Allen was hiding in an alley when officers responded to
the 911 call. Allen struggled with the officer and attempted to take control
of the officers weapon. The officer shot Allen in the face. Allen remained
hospitalized for approximately two months. Allen entered a blind plea of
guilty before the Judge and was sentenced to Death. After exhausting his
appeals Allen was scheduled for execution in 2005. The allegation that Al-len
had “become insane” was raised and a stay of
execution had been ordered. The Oklahoma Department of Corrections
will now re-set his execution date.
The purpose of the Crime Victims Compensation Act is to provide a
method of compensation for victims of violent crime. All funds come from federal
and state offenders through fines and penalty assessments. An arrest of the of-fender
does NOT have to take place in order to be eligible to file a claim; however,
the victim and/or claimant is expected to fully cooperate in the apprehension, in-vestigation,
and prosecution of the perpetrator. The claimant is also expected to
fully cooperate with the District Attorney's Office and Victims Compensation
Board staff during the processing of the claim.
For more information on Victims Compensation or to print out an Official
claim for visit this website:
http://www.ok.gov/dac/Victims_Services/Victims_Compensation_Program/index.html
Four staff members of the District 18 District Attorney’s Office have been
recognized this year for their outstanding service to their community.
Brenda Kelley-Fields was honored this year by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Board for actions taken when
a child was severely injured in a collision at a McAlester Football game. Brenda worked as a McAlester Cam-pus
Police Officer and has dedicated her career to helping the youth in our community. Brenda is an Investiga-tor
for the District Attorneys Office and is the Assistant Director of the DA’s probation and supervision divi-sion.
Amber Suter was honored with the Governor’s Commendation for her service to victims of crime. Amber is
the Victim Witness Coordinator for Pittsburg and Haskell Counties. She spends many hours working with vic-tims
of crime and assisting them with services available to them. She also helps coordinate the attendance of
witnesses to all hearings and trials. She was honored with the Governor’s Commendation for her commitment
and dedication to helping victims. She has worked for the District Attorney’s Office for nine years.
Donna Ford was also honored with the Governor's Commendation for her commitment and dedication to vic-tims.
Donna and Amber were two of only four people in the State recognized by the Governor for this award
this year. Donna is the Office Manager for the District Attorney’s Office and Assistant Victim Witness Coordi-nator.
Donna assists with overall management of all cases filed in the District Attorney’s Office and makes
sure that witnesses and victims are informed of court matters and manages the restitution files for victims.
Donna has worked for the District Attorney’s Office for eight years.
Jessica Gilliam was honored as a Friend of Child Advocacy by the Pittsburg County Child Advocacy Board.
Jessica is an investigator for the District Attorney’s Office and is the Director of the Probation Supervision
Division. Jessica has attended numerous education programs relating to the investigation and prosecution of
child abuse and works tirelessly to protect children from abuse. She formerly was employed by the McAlester
Campus Police and has worked for the District Attorney’s Office for three years.
Pittsburg County
122 East Carl Albert Parkway
McAlester, OK 74501
Phone: 918-423-1324
Fax: 918-423-8575
Haskell County
202 East Main
Stigler, OK 74462
Phone: 918-697-4648
Fax: 918-967-2443
The Pittsburg County District Attorney’s Office along with the
Pittsburg County Court Clerk and Judges have moved into the
“temporary” courthouse located across the street from the
current courthouse.
The new address is 122 East Carl Albert Parkway, McAlester,
Oklahoma.
The District Attorney’s Office is located in the basement of the
building. The entrance to the District Attorney’s Office is
located in the alley on the south side of the building.
This will be the new courthouse, once it has been
renovated, The District Attorney’s Office will no longer
be inside the courthouse but in the building below. District Attorney, Jim B. Miller;
Finance Director, Jerri Davis and
Office Manager, Donna Ford
attended a Conference on Office
Administration, May 18-22, 2008 in
Marco Island, FL. New computer
programs and management ideas
are forthcoming because of the
excellent information
gathered there.
