Several cases set on January jury dockets

Jan. 10--Several felony cases are still listed on the January Cherokee County jury docket, which is set to start Jan. 16 and may conclude Jan. 26.

Before the scheduled proceeding, a defendant can still enter a plea, in which case there would be no jury trial in that case. Arrangements between prosecutors and defense attorneys can delay the onset of a trial.

Among those currently set to appear before Cherokee County District Judge Darrell Shepherd is William Cody Tiger, 22, Tahlequah, who is accused of first-degree rape. Tiger previously sat through the proceeding when Shepherd declared a mistrial in May after the jury could not reach a verdict in the case. Shepherd made the decision after the jury deliberated for nearly four hours, trying to determine whether Tiger was guilty of having sex with a 12-year-old two years ago.

Also slated to appear before Shepherd is Kevin Uriel Garcia, 29, Tahlequah, who is accused of rape, domestic assault and battery by strangulation, and interference with emergency telephone call. According to reports, the victim told police Garcia allegedly tried to force her into having sex, but when she refused, he struck her in the head with his fist and grabbed her by the hair. The woman tried to get to her cell phone to call for help, but Garcia took the phone and used it to strike the woman in the head, causing it to break.

The victim said Garcia lay on top of her and placed his forearm on her neck, making it difficult for her to breath. The defendant is also accused of biting the woman during the assault. Authorities served a search warrant at the scene of the alleged rape and seized several pieces of potential evidence, including bloody clothes and pieces of a cell phone.

For allegedly committing conjoint robbery and assault and battery with a deadly weapon, Rodney Orris Hiatt, 49, Tahlequah, is listed on the docket. Hiatt was charged with the felony counts after he allegedly attacked Jimmy Whitewater, striking him with items including a shovel, and stabbing him before stealing some of his personal belongings. The victim was released from the hospital.

Other trials on Shepherd's docket include: Tanner Anthony Ericsson, for domestic abuse by strangulation; William R. Gulley, for possession of controlled dangerous substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia; and Eric Wayne Bilby, for assault with a dangerous weapon.

Felony jury trials are also listed on the docket Associate District Judge Mark Dobbins.

Woody Lee Cunningham, 45, Hulbert, was charged with assault and battery with a deadly weapon after he was accused of beating a man with a baseball bat. He allegedly struck the victim seven times.

Other trials scheduled for Dobbins to hear include: Mikalyn Robb, for possession of controlled drug with intent to distribute and possession of paraphernalia; Michael Alan Janes II, for feloniously pointing firearm; Garland Eugene Wing, for first-degree rape; Danette Bruce, for distribution of controlled dangerous substance, including possession with intent to distribute and unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute; and Theophilus James Mollie Jr., for domestic assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and child abuse.

___

(c)2018 the Tahlequah Daily Press (Tahlequah, Okla.)

Visit the Tahlequah Daily Press (Tahlequah, Okla.) at www.tahlequahdailypress.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.