EDMOND — A key hearing in the “Bicycle Bob” homicide case likely will be delayed due to the loss of the top two pathologists in the state medical examiner’s office, a county prosecutor said.
Scott Rowland, first assistant district attorney in the Oklahoma County DA’s office, said the firing of Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Collie M. Trant and the recent resignation of Dr. Eric Duval, deputy chief medical examiner, mean it is likely that the preliminary hearing for defendants in the Dwite Morgan homicide case will be delayed.
Rowland said after Trant’s dismissal, the DA’s office learned that the autopsy report on Dwite Morgan was incomplete. Duval’s exit added further certainty as to the possibility of a delay, Rowland said.
A final decision on postponement of the preliminary hearing in the Morgan case likely will be made this week, Rowland said.
The 54-year-old Morgan, widely known in Edmond as “Bicycle Bob,” was found dead Oct. 18 in his sleep spot near downtown.
Connor Adam Mason, 20, of Edmond, and Nikolas David Kerr, 20, of Edmond, face a first-degree murder charge, and Heather Irene Holden, 20, of Edmond, faces an accessory after the fact of first-degree murder charge in Morgan’s death.
Morgan autopsy report incomplete
Cherokee Ballard, spokeswoman for the ME’s office, said because of Trant’s firing a number of cases were reassigned to other pathologists. One of them was the report on Morgan’s autopsy. Ballard said she did not know the total number of cases affected by Trant’s departure.
Tom Jordan, chief administrator for the ME’s office, said Duval resigned to take a position in his home state. Jordan said Duval never really intended to work in Oklahoma for a long period of time. Duval’s resignation became final on Feb. 22.
In June, the National Association of Medical Examiners determined that the Oklahoma City ME’s office fails to meet the minimum criteria established for accreditation.
The Oklahoma City ME’s office performs about 1,400 autopsies/views per year, according to the association’s inspection findings. About six to seven pathologists would be needed for this workload. There was not enough space to accommodate the needed extra tables.
Jordan said the Oklahoma City ME’s office receives 50-60 new cases a week.
Lawmakers seek funding
Jordan said state legislative leaders are seeking funding to fill at least two pathologist positions at the Oklahoma City office.
“Two would be a home run, three grand slam,” he said.
Jordan said appreciated support has come from House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, and state Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore.
“They’re trying the best they can to obtain some funding to get us out of our current case backlog,” Jordan said.
In recent months, support has grown behind efforts to move the Oklahoma City ME’s office to Edmond. Benge and Coffee have authored legislation that would require it to be located near the OSBI Forensic Science Center and the University of Central Oklahoma Forensic Science Institute.
In a previous report, state Rep. Doug Cox, R-Grove, who once attempted to kill the legislation, told The Sun his fears about an issue with the proposed proximity were unfounded and he now supports the move.
marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 108
Local News
ME changes likely to delay ‘Bicycle Bob’ hearing
Lawmakers seek funding to fill pathologist positions
- Local News
-
-
City Council approves church remodel
A request by Redeemed Christian Church of God Kingdom Chapel to remodel a facility at 307 E. Danforth for a church was approved recently by the City Council.
“The church wants to rent a 2,302-square-foot space in the office building on the north side of Danforth, east of the convenience store, south of the Timber Ridge Addition,” said Bob Schiermeyer, city planner. “There will be no new construction other than interior remodeling to accommodate the church.
The church does not request changes to the one driveway or sidewalk of the property, Schiermeyer said. No changes will be made to the outside of the two-story brick veneer building. A sprinkler system will not be required. -
Arcadia Lake nears reopening for summer season
Work on reclaiming Arcadia Lake has been ongoing since high water forced its closure earlier this month.
-
Professor: Constitutional heritage can bring sense of belonging to U.S. citizens
Education is fundamental in preparing a citizenry to live under a free constitutional republic, said Kyle Harper, founding director of the Institute for the American Constitutional Heritage at the University of Oklahoma. Harper is also the senior vice provost at OU as well as an associate professor of Classics and Letters.
A sense of identity by belonging to a tradition is an ingredient in being part of a free republic, he said while speaking to the Edmond Republican Women’s Club on Monday. An educated citizen must be aware, alert and intelligent to care about public affairs, he said. -
Red Cross seeks volunteers to aid in Moore storm recovery
Before arriving in Oklahoma last year, Edmond resident Sofia Griffith already had a growing Red Cross volunteer résumé.
-
DA files formal charge in Craigslist sex case
Prosecutors have filed a formal felony charge against an Edmond man arrested on a complaint related to the alleged solicitation of a minor via Craigslist, according to court records.
Friday afternoon, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Jessica Brown said a member of the OSBI Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force arrested the man that morning after a two-month-long investigation into solicitation for sex with minors via Craigslist. -
Oreo stacking contest slated for Crest Foods in Edmond
Crest Foods is calling all stackers, ages 6-11, to visit the Edmond store from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday to try their hand at an Oreo stacking event. The store, 2200 W. 15th St., is one of several Crest sites where youth can attempt to stack Oreos. The team that builds the highest stack in 30 seconds qualifies for the finals round the following weekend, said Donna Kamas, public relations manager.
-
State photo-ID databases become troves for police
The faces of more than 120 million people are in searchable photo databases that state officials assembled to prevent driver's-license fraud but that increasingly are used by police to identify suspects, accomplices and even innocent bystanders in a wide range of criminal investigations.
-
Lucas: Farm Bill approval vital for state farmers
The U.S. House will approve a farm bill this year, Rep. Frank Lucas said Saturday.
The bill will be debated on the House floor Wednesday and Thursday and will pass after 30 to 60 amendments are considered. -
Suspect says victim wanted to die
A Logan County man who claims he killed a woman out of compassion had taken a $300,000 life insurance policy out on the victim, according to court records.
In a previous report, OSBI spokeswoman Jessica Brown said the Logan County Sheriff’s Office requested OSBI assistance with an alleged home invasion robbery and homicide that occurred in Crescent Wednesday afternoon.
A 911 call was made from 560 Ruth Lane in Crescent at 6:15 p.m., Brown said.
When deputies arrived at the home, they found Monica Schemm, 49, dead inside her bedroom, Brown said. Her hands were bound with zip ties and a plastic bag was secured around her head with tape, Brown said. -
Edmond man faces Craigslist solicitation complaint
An Edmond man has been arrested on a complaint related to alleged solicitation of a minor via Craigslist, police said.
- More Local News Headlines
-
City Council approves church remodel
Caught on Tape: Davie Teacher Accused of Beating Autistic Child
See Lindsay Lohan in Rehab
"Stay Classy" Campaign Aims to Curb Binge Drinking
Lil Wayne's New Music Video Has Some People Outraged
Gaga Ditches Her Crazy Couture
Sesame Street Tackling Tough Topic Parents in Jail
Miss Utah Fumbles Interview Question
Deranged man claims Newark-bound flight was poisoned
Cameron Diaz and Kate Upton Show Off Their Amazing Bikini Bodies
NBA FINALS: Spurs Win Game 5, Lead Series
Exclusive Clip: Jodi Arias: 'Dirty Little Secret'
Amphibious bus filled with tourists sinks
Best Bikini Abs
Historic Ruling Set in Affirmative Action Case
Mix-Up at Daytime Emmy Awards
Colorado Springs Wildfire 65% Contained
Kim K. Is a New Mommy!
Sarah Silverman Roasts Mel Brooks at AFI Tribute
Moderate Cleric Wins Iranian Election
Obama on Fatherhood: 'Best Job I've Got'
