OKLA. CITY —
Rico Berry’s attorney Mark McCormick said during proceedings Tuesday morning that his client plans to take the witness stand during his trial this week.
In October 2009, Oklahoma County DA David Prater charged Rico Antwoine Berry, of Edmond, with first degree murder in the death of Jolen Babakhani, 2, of Edmond. Prosecutors allege that Berry caused injuries to the toddler’s brain, eyes and body, inflicting mortal wounds that caused the boy’s death.
The state medical examiner ruled Jolen’s death was a homicide, resulting from head trauma, causing a subdural hematoma. A subdural hematoma is a type of blood clot or clots that often result from a skull fracture.
Jolen lived at an apartment at 400 E. Danforth Road with his mother. Berry had just moved in the previous day.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous for Mr. Berry” due to the serious nature of the charge against him, McCormick said, while reminding jurors that the defendant is innocent until proven guilty.
Judge Glenn Jones swore in a jury of eight women and four men to hear testimony. They’re in the process of selecting two alternates to the jury.
On Monday, the prosecution interviewed potential jurors while the defense had their chance at voir dire Tuesday morning.
The jury consists of a day care owner, a doctor, a principal, several teachers and a mother of two young children.
Assistant District Attorney Gayland Gieger said opening arguments could begin around 3 p.m. today.
Local News
Child murder defendant plans to take stand
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The Big One
It’s a bleak scenario. A massive earthquake along the New Madrid fault kills or injures 60,000 people in Tennessee. A quarter of a million people are homeless.
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City plans to hire downtown consultant
Conceptual ideas about how the City of Edmond may plan for downtown development were shared this week by David Forrest with members of the business community.
The Central Edmond Urban Development Board has revisited plans made in a 1998 Downtown Master Plan through public meetings and presentations to protect the future development of Broadway. Recommendations by the group will be taken into account by future city councils. -
Feds recommend changing legal alcohol content levels
During the past 15 years alcohol contributed to a third of highway deaths prompting the government this week to recommend reducing state Blood Alcohol Content limits from .08 to .05 or lower.
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St. Mary’s Episcopal School names new Head of School
Pamela Dockter will become the new Head of School at St. Mary’s Episcopal School effective July 1.
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Local girl receives crown
Audrianna Page Fredericks recently was crowned Miss Junior Teen Oklahoma United States 2013.
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‘Locker Hooking’ workshop offers instruction in durable, useful crafting technique
Residents who would like to learn how to use the “locker hooking” technique to make one-of-a-kind items for use in the home or for decoration are invited to attend the “Locker Hooking” Workshop Tuesday from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Oklahoma County OSU Cooperative Extension Service.
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‘Healthy Cooking With Spices and Herbs’ focus of OSU Extension workshop
As Americans try harder to improve their diets by decreasing fat and sugar, the challenge to make dishes tasty as well as healthy becomes that much more important.
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5-18 Calendar
The Edmond Senior Center, 2733 Marilyn Williams Drive, is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. F or information about Edmond senior programs, stop by and pick up a monthly calendar, check out the Web site at edmondseniorcenter.com or call 216-7600.
Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. and reservations are needed a day in advance by 11 a.m. For lunch reservations, call at 330-6293 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. -
Don’t miss out on Williams, Ariz.
You know how some days you’re really at your best and then you hit one where your efforts just don’t measure up. I had one of those. Jack and I were on a nine-day driving tour of Arizona, getting close to the end of the trip.
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3 miles of Broadway restoration nears completion
Work to restore 3 miles of Broadway from Waterloo to Simpson was near completion Friday, said Mark Sharpton, District 1 county commissioner. Atlas Paving Company began the process of resurfacing the road this week.
“Another improvement on the roadway will be the application of new safety striping,” Sharpton said.
A recent bid letting by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation resulted in Action Supply being the lowest bidder at $27,752.30. The bid will be awarded June 3, Sharpton said. - More Local News Headlines
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