Newswriting
Opening statements made in murder case
Sapulpa Daily Herald – 1987-04-01
By Holly Bennett – Herald Staff Writer
Jurors were chosen, lawyers gave their opening statements and five men testified at Artie Stanton’s murder trial Tuesday at Creek County Courthouse.
The jury chosen, consists of seven men and five women.
Through the testimonies, it was established that Stanton had known both of the people he is accused of killing in October, Maxine Hunt and Tom Holland, for many years.
Two former Creek County Sheriff’s Department officials, Jerry Siler and Preston Tillman, both testified at the trial.
Tillman testified that he found the bodies and was present when the video tape of the murder scene was taken.
Siler, who also participated in the investigation, said Hunt’s body was found face down near the front door. He said Holland was face up, “nude, except for a pair of underwear and he a had a long wooden rod across his neck.”
Terry Martin, who rented a mobile home from Hunt, also testified at the trial. Martin said he had known Holland and Hunt for a few years, and met Stanton and Carl James Roberts, an acquaintance of Stanton’s, the night of the murder.
He also was hired to clean the house by a relative of Hunt’s about one month after the murders.
Clyde Knight, a long-time friend of Stanton, testified that he drove Stanton and Roberts to Artie Stanton’s brother’s house in Sapulpa the day of the murder.
Stanton’s brother, Jack, testified that he took Artie Stanton and Roberts to Hunt’s house.
The trial is continuing today.
Skills demonstrated - Photo Credit
Sapulpa Daily Herald – 1987-04-01
By Holly Bennett – Herald Staff Writer
Sapulpa police officers demonstrated the skills of Eddy the police dog to members of the Rotary Club on Tuesday in the alley behind the Sapulpa Historical Museum. Patrol Tracy Griffin, left, played the bad guy as Patrolman Randy Arnold and Eddy attacked. Eddy is used by police in searching and tracking and has been involved in four apprehensions since September when he began working for the police department. Eddy went through a special training program with Arnold in Germany. (Herald photo by Holly Bennett)
Chopper makes visit
Sapulpa Daily Herald – 1987-04-01
By Herald Staff (Holly Bennett)
A new Life Flight helicopter made a special visit to Sapulpa Tuesday afternoon to be inspected by Bartlett Memorial Medical Center officials.
The helicopter, on loan from a Florida hospital and made in West German, landed at the hospital at 5p.m. The chopper is not making emergency runs in the Tulsa area, but only visiting area hospitals for demonstrations. Life Flight of Tulsa is expected to purchase two similar models this month.
Dr. John Sacra, medical director for Tulsa Life Flight, announced recently that Saint Francis Hospital will upgrade its emergency helicopter service beginning April 17 with the purchase of the new helicopters.
The new choppers will offer faster, safer and more comprehensive service to 56 hospitals and communities within the 150-mile radius of Tulsa that Life Flight serves, Sacra said.
The helicopter that visited Sapulpa is now being used to acquaint physicians, emergency personnel and public safety officers in the area with the advantages of the new craft.
The new aircrafts have improved capability to transport in high wind, snow and rain, easier loading with the new clamshell doors, bigger cabin space and upgraded landing skids that make it possible to land on rugged terrain, said Sacra.
Tulsa Life Flight, based at Saint Francis, is the fourth busiest medical helicopter service in the United States. Since its inception in 1979, it has maintained an accident-free record.
Photo Credit
Sapulpa Daily Herald – 1987-04-01
By Holly Bennett – Herald Staff Writer
Bartlett Memorial Medical Center officials and other interested persons inspected a new helicopter Tuesday, that is scheduled to be purchased by Life Flight of Tulsa. (Herald photo by Holly Bennett)
