Latest news with #KOCO
New York Post
20-06-2025
- New York Post
Bride-to-be killed in horrific wrong-way drunk-driving crash that put fiancé in a coma weeks before wedding: cops
An alleged drunk driver killed a bride-to-be in a horrific wrong-way crash in Oklahoma just weeks before her wedding — as her fiancé expressed his love for her in their final moments together. Katelyn Callahan, 23, and Tristen Cherry, 24, were returning home from the Calf Fry Festival in Stillwater festival with two teenagers when the alleged boozed-up driver traveling the wrong way on Interstate 44 in Oklahoma City slammed into the car around 2:30 a.m. on May 2, according to reports. 'I kind of sat up in my seat, and I see headlights,' Cherry, who was riding in the backseat and spent nearly a month in a coma, told KJRH of the heart-wrenching final seconds before tragedy struck. 5 Katelyn Callahan, 23, and Tristen Cherry, 24, were returning home from the Calf Fry Festival when they were hit by a drunk driver. KJRH 'I said, 'Katelyn, I love you.' And we hit.' Callahan, who was driving, was pronounced dead at the scene. 5 Callahan was pronounced dead at the tragic scene on May 2. KOCO 5 The pair, who had been together for three years, were set to tie the knot on May 31 in Bristow. Cherry, who suffered nearly five dozen facial fractures, a lacerated kidney, lost teeth, had his mouth wired shut and underwent multiple surgeries, received the devastating news just days after waking up from his coma, the outlet reported. 'It's taken me some time,' said the restaurant manager, who has since been discharged. 5 The couple, who had been together for three years, were set to wed on May 31. KOCO 5 'Still do, to understand. But it's not the easiest thing in the world. I talk to Katelyn every day. The most I can ask for at this point is healing. That's from head to toe. Healing takes time, and time takes healing. So I'm just letting time go by.' The accused inebriated culprit, 29-year-old Sergio Ibarra, was arrested and charged with first-degree manslaughter and three counts of driving under the influence, People reported. Ibarra and his 36-year-old passenger were also hospitalized, along with the teen riders in the mangled car, following the tragic incident. 5 The crash left Cherry severely injured and in a coma for nearly a month. KOCO 5 A heartbroken Cherry spent what was supposed to be his wedding day in the hospital, surrounded by family and members of his bridal party who gathered to honor the sullen occasion. 'I saw Katelyn in her wedding dress in pictures,' Cherry said, KJRH reported. 'She was gorgeous. All my groomsmen came up. Some of her bridesmaids came up. It was her family, my family. It was a great time.' 5 Cherry learned his nursing student fiancé died days after waking up from his coma. KOCO 5 The couple described their relationship as 'the greatest love story this town has ever seen,' according to their wedding website. Although they went to high schools just 10 minutes apart, Cherry and his nursing student love became 'inseparable' after he invited her to be his date his his fraternity's formal, calling the pairing 'God's plan.' 'The two…still adore the time they first locked eyes and felt the strength they both had for each other, little did they know they'd be getting married in the near future,' the wedding website said. 'The love continues to grow as days go by and forever shall they both live healthy and compassionate, sharing their heart and soul, blood in blood out, undying love.'
Scottish Sun
11-06-2025
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
Weatherman Gary England who featured in hit movie Twister dies at 85 as tributes pour in for ‘meteorology legend'
RENOWNED meteorologist Gary England who starred in the hit movie Twister has died at the age of 85. England was a weatherman on the TV station KWTV for more than four decades before his retirement in 2013. 4 Weatherman Gary England has died at the age of 85 Credit: KOCO 4 England was an on-air meteorologist for more than four decades Credit: KWTV The meteorologist, from Oklahoma, died peacefully with his family by his side on June 10, as reported by the ABC affiliate KOCO-TV. 'Gary was proud to have protected Oklahoma from its deadliest storms,' his family said. 'He will be deeply and forever missed.' England was the first weatherman to use Doppler radar when warning viewers about the risks of tornadoes. read more on news BIDEN PROBE Trump opens investigation into Biden's 'competency' during final days in office The weatherman was known for his folksy-style of broadcasting and used to start his reports on Friday's with the line "It's Friday night in the big town." He made a cameo appearance in the 1996 film Twister, which starred Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton. The movie was nominated for two Oscars. England reported on the 1999 Bridge Creek-Moore tornado, which ripped through Oklahoma City. Winds of more than 300 mph were reported and 36 people were killed. "The sheer intensity and violence of it was unbelievable," England told The Oklahoman. "We saw the power lines down, and I knew there were people out there dying. It was not a fun evening." He warned those who were set to be most affected by the storm to shelter underground. "Most of the people that died were right in the core of the tornado," he said. "It killed 40 or so people and injured 800 or so. Wow! "But I love what I do and I'm still here." Tributes have poured in after news of the weatherman's death emerged. 'The world lost a legendary meteorologist and even better man. He was such a great role model for any weather enthusiast,' storm chaser Brad Arnold posted on X. Journalists have described England as a legend. 'The meteorology world has lost a legend. Gary England of Oklahoma,' Rusty Surette said. 'This man saved countless lives during tornadoes, and I'm honored I worked side by side with Gary for several years. 'He was a pioneer in severe weather broadcasting and a trusted voice for generations of Oklahomans. "Jump back and rest in peace, sir.' David Payne, the chief meteorologist for KWTV, described England as "one of a kind." "There will only ever be one Gary England - an Oklahoman through through," he wrote on social media. "He was one of a kind and the impact he had on our state, meteorology and severe weather prediction and tracking will be felt for years and years to come." Colton Williams revealed England was the reason he became a weatherman. "I was fortunate to exchange a few emails from him as a kid, and he even sent me a signed copy of his book," he wrote on X. "I appreciate that sentiment now more than I did when I was a kid." 4 England delivering his last forecast in 2013 before retirement Credit: KWTV
The Sun
11-06-2025
- Climate
- The Sun
Weatherman Gary England who featured in hit movie Twister dies at 85 as tributes pour in for ‘meteorology legend'
RENOWNED meteorologist Gary England who starred in the hit movie Twister has died at the age of 85. England was a weatherman on the TV station KWTV for more than four decades before his retirement in 2013. 4 4 The meteorologist, from Oklahoma, died peacefully with his family by his side on June 10, as reported by the ABC affiliate KOCO-TV. 'Gary was proud to have protected Oklahoma from its deadliest storms,' his family said. 'He will be deeply and forever missed.' England was the first weatherman to use Doppler radar when warning viewers about the risks of tornadoes. The weatherman was known for his folksy-style of broadcasting and used to start his reports on Friday's with the line "It's Friday night in the big town." He made a cameo appearance in the 1996 film Twister, which starred Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton. The movie was nominated for two Oscars. England reported on the 1999 Bridge Creek-Moore tornado, which ripped through Oklahoma City. Winds of more than 300 mph were reported and 36 people were killed. "The sheer intensity and violence of it was unbelievable," England told The Oklahoman. "We saw the power lines down, and I knew there were people out there dying. It was not a fun evening." He warned those who were set to be most affected by the storm to shelter underground. "Most of the people that died were right in the core of the tornado," he said. "It killed 40 or so people and injured 800 or so. Wow! "But I love what I do and I'm still here." Tributes have poured in after news of the weatherman's death emerged. 'The world lost a legendary meteorologist and even better man. He was such a great role model for any weather enthusiast,' storm chaser Brad Arnold posted on X. Journalists have described England as a legend. 'The meteorology world has lost a legend. Gary England of Oklahoma,' Rusty Surette said. 'This man saved countless lives during tornadoes, and I'm honored I worked side by side with Gary for several years. 'He was a pioneer in severe weather broadcasting and a trusted voice for generations of Oklahomans. "Jump back and rest in peace, sir.' David Payne, the chief meteorologist for KWTV, described England as "one of a kind." "There will only ever be one Gary England - an Oklahoman through through," he wrote on social media. "He was one of a kind and the impact he had on our state, meteorology and severe weather prediction and tracking will be felt for years and years to come." Colton Williams revealed England was the reason he became a weatherman. "I was fortunate to exchange a few emails from him as a kid, and he even sent me a signed copy of his book," he wrote on X. "I appreciate that sentiment now more than I did when I was a kid." 4 4
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Person of Interest in Unsolved Murder Case Dies by Suicide While on Zoom Call with Authorities: Reports
A person of interest in an unsolved 2010 Oklahoma murder case shot himself in the head as he was questioned about the killing during a video call with authorities, according to reports Michael Wayne Thomas, 54, had insisted he had no involvement in the November 2010 death of Julie Mitchell, 34, per The Oklahoman "It was as shocking and horrific as you can imagine," Thomas' attorney, Ed Blau, told the outlet of his client's death on Saturday, May 31A person of interest in a 2010 Oklahoma murder case shot himself dead while being questioned about the killing on a Zoom call with authorities, according to reports. On Saturday, May 31, Michael Wayne Thomas, 54, died by suicide in a wooded area outside a casino in Kansas, per The Oklahoman, citing his attorney, Ed Blau. The Oklahoma City Police Department (OCPD) had been asking the man about Julie Mitchell, who was found beaten to death in her home in November 2010, as her 13-month-old baby laid untouched by her side, local ABC-affiliated station KOCO reported. The case remains unsolved. Blau had been representing Thomas since 2012, with the attorney telling KOCO 5 News that his client had previously been interviewed five or six times by police. Thomas had reportedly refused to be interviewed in person this time, instead opting for a video call. Blau said that his client — who had denied any involvement in 34-year-old Mitchell's murder — had been talking for around 45 minutes before his death, per The Oklahoman. "The phone landed right by his head so we got to hear him die, hear the death rattle," the attorney told the outlet on Tuesday, June 3. "It was as shocking and horrific as you can imagine." The OCPD's Master Sergeant, Gary Knight, said of Thomas, "He had agreed to be interviewed by detectives, but only on the stipulation that he wasn't going to be at the same location. He wanted to be in a manner like a Zoom call," per KOCO. "Beggars can't always be choosers, and this is somebody we wanted to talk to, we needed to talk to. There were questions we needed to have answered by him," Knight continued, telling the outlet that the questions remained unanswered around 40 minutes into the call. "He chose to pull out a pistol and shoot himself, ending his life," Knight said, per the station, adding, "I don't remember in my time here, 35 years here, someone killing themselves during an interview." According to The Oklahoman, Julie Mitchell was the wife of Teddy Mitchell, who had been accused in Oklahoma City federal court of reportedly hosting "illegal high-stakes poker games at his home and taking illegal bets on sporting events." Per an FBI Oklahoma City Division release, in January 2014, Teddy Mitchell was sentenced to serve 27 months in federal prison for running an illegal gambling operation. Mitchell had been traveling to California at the time of his wife's death, The Oklahoman noted. Julie Mitchell's body had been found in the master bedroom closet of their home and $30,000 was reportedly missing from a closet safe, The Oklahoman reported. Thomas' company checkbook had previously been found at the Mitchells' property after the murder, but he's always denied any involvement in the killing, the outlet stated. He told The Oklahoman in 2012, "I — 100% — did not. That's for sure.' Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Thomas, who previously sold insurance in an office in Edmond, reportedly told the FBI that he'd played poker at Teddy Mitchell's house, as well as placing bets with him, per the outlet, which cited a 2011 report. He also told authorities he'd let Teddy Mitchell become a partner in his business to help pay off his gambling debt, after providing him with vehicles and real estate insurance. "I really hope you solve the case," Thomas told OCPD's Knight, The Oklahoman reported. The officer added that Thomas was still considered a person of interest amid the unsolved investigation. The OCPD and Blau's law firm didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to Read the original article on People
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Oklahoma made child rape eligible for the death penalty, shirking a Supreme Court ruling
Oklahoma has opened the door for prosecutors to seek the death penalty against someone convicted of rape involving a child under 14 years old, even though capital punishment in such cases has been ruled unconstitutional. Senate Bill 599 was signed into law and becomes effective in November. Current state law allows the death penalty for a second or subsequent conviction of that crime. The bill approved by lawmakers and signed by the governor allows district attorneys to request the convicted be executed after one offense. "Does there have to be a second child? Or is one enough?" asked state Rep. and former prosecutor Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, during debate on the House floor this year. Prosecutors seeking the death penalty in these cases, however, face an almost insurmountable obstacle: the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2008, the court ruled in Kennedy v. Louisiana that the death penalty cannot be imposed for crimes where the victim did not die or where the victim's death was not intended. The bill's author, state Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, told TV news station KOCO that he is confident that the high court will eventually revisit the ruling. Despite the renewed political desire to execute child rapists, capital punishment has become an even rarer sentence imposed by courts in Oklahoma and across the nation. It's been three years since someone has been sentenced to death in an Oklahoma court. Nationwide, there were 26 new death sentences imposed in 2024, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. In 2010, there were more than 100. More: Oklahoma death row: Could Stacy Drake be state's first death sentence in three years? The bill garnered broad support, mostly along party lines, from both the Oklahoma Senate and House of Representatives. Despite acknowledging the heinous nature of the crime, some Democratic lawmakers had pointed questions about unintended effects. They expressed concern that if perpetrators know they are eligible for the death penalty anyway, a rapist might care less about keeping their victim alive. Others warned that children might be discouraged from reporting or testifying against a family member if it could mean their execution. State Rep. Michelle McCane, a Democrat from Tulsa, revealed during debate against the measure that she was a victim of sexual assault as a child. "It would have added to my trauma and likely would have made me hesitate to tell on the offender if I had thought the consequence could be they get the death penalty," she said. "Not because I didn't want them to have a severe consequence, not because I was not hurt and upset, but as a small child, that would have been a really big burden to bear and I don't think I would have come forward if that was the case." McCane also questioned the bill's House co-author whether the death penalty is an effective deterrent. "I don't know if it reduces crimes," replied state Rep. Tim Turner, R-Kinta, "but it shows that cowards who commit these crimes get the sentence they deserve." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Death penalty for child rape: Oklahoma law challenges SCOTUS ruling
