The Edmond Sun

Local News

Discussion

November 4, 2009

Homeless man faces murder charge

Relative thanks community for outpouring of support

Mark Schlachtenhaufen

EDMOND — Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater filed a first-degree murder charge Wednesday against the man being held in the Bicycle Bob homicide.

Travis Monroe Jim, 20, is accused of killing Dwite Morgan, 54, by stabbing him multiple times with a knife and striking him with a hammer on Oct. 18. Both men were homeless, and the attack occurred at Morgan’s sleep spot in the alley behind Farmers Grain Company, 102 W. First St.

Information on Jim’s attorney was not available at press time.

Morgan’s death ignited an outpouring of support from the community, which included the First Christian Church hosting his funeral service, and residents, businesses and the city funding funeral costs, including a headstone for his grave site.

Adella Graves, of Edmond, a cousin of Morgan’s, said his death came as a shock to her, although she has been concerned about Morgan’s safety for years. Graves said when Dwite was killed she was working to have him come live on her property. She said she has committed the issue into God’s hands and she is praying for Jim’s salvation.

“I pray he gets saved,” Graves said. “I’m concerned about his soul.”

Regarding the outpouring of community support, Graves said she is thankful and somewhat surprised.

“I just didn’t know that many people cared for him,” Graves said. “I was so surprised and so happy.”

Graves said she and Morgan were close. Morgan told her he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior in 1975, she said. Graves said she attended Morgan’s funeral service. About 350 people remembered the man who was a fixture in the community for decades. Edmond Police officers served as pallbearers. Flowers brightened the sanctuary.

“I thought it was beautiful,” Graves said.

Morgan was buried at Edmond’s Gracelawn Cemetery next to his grandmother, Grace Mae Ballard.

Chris Shorow, First Christian’s senior pastor, said he is attempting to visit Jim in jail. Shorow said Morgan’s death was a “terrible tragedy.”

“Two lives were ruined that day,” Shorow said.

In Edmond Police Detective Mark Oak’s affidavit of probable cause, Jim is identified as the person who found Morgan’s body and reported it to police. Jim told police he had known Morgan for about a month.

Jim told police he consumed a large amount of alcohol the previous day. Jim reportedly slept in Morgan’s spot, and claimed Morgan became upset when he refused to abandon the spot. Jim then allegedly grabbed a nearby knife, the affidavit states.



marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 108

Text Only
Local News
  • $6.8B budget crosses final hurdle

    House members found enough votes late Thursday afternoon to approve the state’s $6.8 billion budget for next year by a vote of 52-42. This came after an earlier vote failed by four votes in the House Thursday morning.

    May 25, 2012

  • Santa Fe principal resigns

    Edmond Santa Fe High School principal Earl Kirkpatrick resigned Thursday to explore possibilities in the field of ministry. His last day is June 30.

    May 25, 2012

  • devin derrick 2012.jpg Hollywood dreams do come true: Edmondite develops film, music career

    It’s all about being in the right place at the right time.
    At least that is what Edmond resident and 1990 Edmond High School graduate Devin Derrick will tell you about his rise to fame in the music and movie businesses.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • ASK A LAWYER: Trusts provide options for difficult heirs

    Q: We have a grown daughter who has a gambling problem. We want to provide for her in our will, but also want to protect her share from being wasted after we die. How can we do this?
    A: Your situation is not unusual. Most of us know at least one person who has difficulty handling money for one reason or another.

    May 25, 2012

  • 5-26 Pets

    This is a list of animals that have been found and are at the Edmond Animal Shelter, at Interstate 35 and Covell in the Cross Timbers Municipal Complex. Call the shelter at 216-7615 for more information.

    May 25, 2012

  • 5-26 Police and Fire

    Information in this column is gathered from city fire incident logs and police incident reports.

    May 25, 2012

  • Make-A-Wish Oklahoma hosts Lexus raffle

    Make-A-Wish Oklahoma will once again partner with Lexus of Tulsa and Eskridge Lexus of Oklahoma City to raffle off a new Lexus, raising funds to support the organization’s efforts to grant the heartfelt wishes of children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions in Oklahoma.

    May 25, 2012

  • Edmond youth are encouraged to make a difference

    The Edmond Youth Council programs are opportunities for students 15-18 years of age to learn about municipal government and potentially impact future city policies.

    May 25, 2012

  • Hiebert graduates from Field Artillery training

    Army Pfc. Cody A. Hiebert has graduated from the Field Artillery Firefinder Radar Operator Advanced Individual Training course at Fort Sill, Lawton.

    May 25, 2012

  • arcadia lake 3.jpg Police: Comply with lake rules during holiday period

    Summer vacation, hot days and a holiday weekend spell heavier traffic on Arcadia Lake, and police want to remind guests about rules and what happens if you break them.
    May 23 was the last day of school for Edmond Public Schools and the long Memorial Day holiday period has come.

    May 25, 2012 6 Photos