An Oklahoma appeals court has denied a request for an evidentiary hearing by a death-row inmate convicted in the fatal shooting of a convenience store clerk in Oklahoma City. The Arkansas man was convicted of first-degree murder, which, in Oklahoma, is punishable by a penalty of life in prison, life in prison without the possibility …
An Oklahoma appeals court has denied a request for an evidentiary hearing by a death-row inmate convicted in the fatal shooting of a convenience store clerk in Oklahoma City. The Arkansas man was convicted of first-degree murder, which, in Oklahoma, is punishable by a penalty of life in prison, life in prison without the possibility of parole, or the death sentence. If you have been accused of first-degree murder or another serious criminal offense in Oklahoma, your first course of action should be to enlist the help of a reputable defense attorney in your area. Here at Oklahoma Legal Center, our criminal defense lawyers have extensive experience defending Oklahomans against criminal charges, and will work diligently to help you build a strong defense in your case.
Death Sentence Upheld in First-Degree Murder Case
The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals handed down the ruling Friday, January 4, in the case of 32-year-old Marlon Deon Harmon. According to court documents, Harmon was convicted of first-degree murder and given the death sentence for the 2004 shooting death of a 55-year-old convenience store owner, and the Oklahoma court upheld Harmon’s first-degree murder conviction and death sentence last year. According to prosecutors in Harmon’s case, witnesses placing the man at the scene of the crime and a palm print being found on a card from the victim’s wallet was sufficient evidence to garner a murder conviction.
OK Murder Charges and Associated Penalties
Under Oklahoma criminal law, there are two possible charges in murder cases – first-degree murder and second-degree murder – and the major difference between these two crimes is intent. In first-degree murder cases, the defendant is accused of unlawfully and with “malice aforethought,” or premeditation, causing the death of another person. Charges of second-degree murder may be brought if the defendant allegedly acted in a way that is imminently dangerous to another person and is indicative of a depraved mind, but does so without the intent to kill any individual. While a first-degree murder conviction may result in the death sentence, second-degree murder typically carries a penalty of between ten years and life in prison.
Contact Our Criminal Defense Attorneys Today
Being convicted of murder – either first- or second-degree – can significantly affect the remainder of the defendant’s life, possibly even resulting in the defendant being sentenced to death. If you are facing charges for a major criminal offense like first-degree murder in Oklahoma City, or elsewhere in Oklahoma, don’t hesitate to protect your legal rights. Too often in our legal system, those accused of murder and other serious crimes are deemed guilty by others before a trial even takes place. With the help of our knowledgeable defense attorneys at Oklahoma Legal Center, you can ensure that your legal rights are protected and defend yourself against the charges filed against you.