Local News
December hearing set for child rapist Earls
A preliminary hearing date in the case where a Pittsburg County grand jury indicted convicted felon David Harold Earls on new counts in August has been set, to determine if there is sufficient evidence to bind him over for trial on the three counts the grand jury returned against him.
A preliminary hearing to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to bind Earls over for trial is set to take place beginning at 9 a.m. Dec. 17 in McAlester.
Earls, 65, has completed one year of county jail time. He was sentenced to the year as part of a plea bargain where he received another 19 years suspended. He remains jailed in lieu of $400,000 bond on the counts returned against him in August. Under terms of a plea agreement where he pled no contest to a sex crime count, Earls also received credit for time served.
There was a furor that arose over how the case and plea bargain were handled. The case drew national attention.
In August, a Pittsburg County grand jury indictment was returned against Earls on three counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 16.
Meanwhile, local judges have been recused from any further proceedings in the case. Those four are: District Judge Thomas Bartheld; Associate District Judge James Bland; and Special District Judges Donita Wynn and Bill Layden.
Assigned to handle the case is Seminole County District Judge George W. Butner. Albert Hochs Jr., from an Oklahoma City firm and connected with the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System, was assigned to represent Earls in the case.
The state attorney general's office is handling the prosecution of the case.
At least part of the preliminary proceedings in the most recent case against Earls have been handled by teleconference call, electronic court records reflect.
- Local News
-
-
MPD officer named in assault complaint
Pittsburg County sheriff’s deputies say they are getting closer to wrapping up a probe into an altercation involving two groups of people that occurred on the shores of Lake Eufaula at Bedford Beach, located at Sooner Haven in the Longtown area.
-
More than 1,300 expected for Saturday concert festival
This year Jared Hauff and his family, along with numerous other helpers, have chosen to put on “In the Field” for the second year.
-
Miss McAlester pageant set for Saturday
The ladies of Beta Iota of Epsilon Sigma Alpha International are excited that Miss Oklahoma 2010 Emoly West will be the emcee for the Miss McAlester Pageant.
-
McAlester councilman readies to take city job at Healdton
Ward 6 McAlester City Councilor Louis Smitherman says he’s working out the final details to become the new city manager at Healdton.
-
City pool blamed for damage to home
Summer fun at the Komar wading pool could dry up early if a suspected leak causing damage to a neighborhood residence can’t be fixed without draining the pool, though city officials are reluctant to explore that option, hoping to keep the pool open through the remainder of the summer season.
- Immigration ruling could send message to states
-
Suspect in Dibble deaths appears in court
Prosecutors say they plan to file formal charges within 10 days against a Blanchard man accused in the deaths of a Dibble woman and her two young children.
-
Last park concert of summer set for Thursday
Members of a local band which calls itself Anacrusis may be young — but they couple a love for roots music with modern rock to create their sound.
-
Tearing it down, one brick at a time
Have you ever attempted to tear down a structure with just your bare hands? It’s not easy, to some it is downright impossible; but to Tom Joyce, 73, it’s all in a day’s work.
- MPS offers school supplies
- More Local News Headlines
-
MPD officer named in assault complaint
