Oklahoma

Judge strikes Oklahoma lethal injection law because source of drugs is secret

An Oklahoma judge struck the state’s lethal injection law as unconstitutional Wednesday, saying that it violated due process because it keeps secret from inmates the sources of drugs used in executions. The ruling by Oklahoma County District Judge Patricia Parrish follows recent adverse reactions by dying inmates during executions in…

Mar 26, 2014 6:10 PM CDT

Iran-Contra prosecutor and former ABA president Lawrence Walsh is dead at 102

Lawrence E. Walsh, a former prosecutor, federal judge and BigLaw partner who served as president of both the American Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association during an achievement-filled career, has died at the age of 102. Perhaps best known for his work as a court-appointed independent counsel…

Mar 20, 2014 10:42 PM CDT

Oklahoma delays two executions due to lack of drugs needed for lethal injection

A lack of lethal injection drugs has led to the postponement, until next month, of two scheduled Oklahoma executions. Sidestepping, at least for now, constitutional claims by two convicted murderers that they are entitled to know the source of the drugs to be used in their executions, a state appeals…

Mar 18, 2014 11:15 PM CDT

Lawyer is accused of smuggling sex toy into jail

A 70-year-old Oklahoma City attorney is accused of smuggling a sex toy into jail so an inmate could perform sex acts with it as he watched. Sheriff’s police allege that lawyer Frank Kirk smuggled the sex toy and personal lubricant into a prisoner who believed she wouldn’t have to pay…

Mar 6, 2014 2:52 PM CST

Gunman is convicted, based in part on video of shooting at courthouse plaza

Video of a 2012 shooting outside an Oklahoma courthouse has been released, following the conviction last week of the assailant, Andrew Dennehy. Used as evidence in the case, the grainy footage shows law enforcement reacting and shooting Dennehy as the barefoot man is moving around, armed and firing outside the…

Jan 28, 2014 6:30 PM CST

Pastor’s suit over license plate image is tossed by federal court

A federal judge has dismissed a suit by a Methodist pastor who contended an image on standard Oklahoma license plates depicted a religious message that conflicted with his beliefs. U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton ruled Tuesday against Keith Cressman, who claimed the plates violated his First Amendment right against compelled…

Jan 16, 2014 12:20 PM CST

Another state’s same-sex marriage ban is struck down by a federal judge

A federal judge has overturned Oklahoma’s ban on same-sex marriage following a similar ruling in a Utah case that is pending before a federal appeals court. U.S. District Judge Terence Kern of Tulsa ruled on Tuesday that the ban, incorporated in a state constitutional amendment, violates the equal protection clause.…

Jan 15, 2014 12:56 PM CST

Rape defendant punches his lawyer at trial

The rape trial of a Tulsa, Okla., man came to a screeching halt Friday when the defendant repeatedly punched his court-appointed lawyer in the face, according to court personnel. Earnest Michael Padillow, 47, was on his way to the witness stand to testify in his own defense when he turned…

Dec 9, 2013 10:18 PM CST

Supreme Court ruling in Baby Veronica case didn’t end the adoption dispute

Corrected: A Supreme Court ruling in June for the adoptive parents of the child known as Baby Veronica hasn’t ended the legal dispute over her custody. Baby Veronica just turned 4, and she is living with her father despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, the Washington Post reports. According to the…

Sep 16, 2013 4:43 PM CDT

10th Circuit says judge erred in denying payment to lawyer who challenged execution method

An Oklahoma lawyer who mounted an unsuccessful legal challenge to the method of execution eventually used on his client in a death-penalty case is entitled to be paid for his time, a federal appeals court has ruled. Reversing a federal district court’s decision not to award attorney fees to James…

Sep 4, 2013 7:55 PM CDT

Judge on Hobby Lobby Affordable Care Act case describes appellate opinion as ‘political fiction’

While the Hobby Lobby’s legal challenge to the Affordable Care Act is ongoing, it won’t be fined for not providing employees with emergency contraceptive coverage, as the law mandates, a federal judge ruled Friday. Oklahoma-based U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton didn’t appear to be happy about the injunction. Previously, Heaton…

Jul 19, 2013 6:55 PM CDT

Man can challenge constitutionality of state’s ‘rain god’ license plate, 10th Circuit

An Oklahoma man can sue the state over its Indian ‘rain god’ license plate on First Amendment grounds, a federal appeals court has held. Keith Cressman, a Bethany pastor, claims that the license plate violates his religious rights as a Christian. U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton had dismissed the suit…

Jun 14, 2013 8:18 PM CDT

ABA offers help to those hit hard by Oklahoma tornadoes

The president of the American Bar Association has extended her sympathies to victims of the Oklahoma tornadoes and says the ABA is organizing relief efforts to provide legal help to survivors of this week’s storms. “There are no words to ease the pain of the families who lost loved ones…

May 24, 2013 6:13 PM CDT

Repeatedly tardy juror fails to appear for contempt hearing

Jailed for four hours last week after he was late to court two days running, a prospective juror failed to appear on Tuesday for a contempt hearing. Rickey Christopher had been dismissed from the jury pool after being late for the second time. And Oklahoma County District Judge Ray C.…

May 14, 2013 9:10 PM CDT

Lawyer who spent jailed client’s $48K without his permission loses license for 2 years

An Oklahoma lawyer who spent over $48,000 from a jailed client without his permission has had her law license suspended for two years. Lagailda F. Barnes didn’t suffer a more severe sanction because she repaid the money in full before an attorney discipline case got going, was cooperative in the…

Apr 4, 2013 6:32 PM CDT