Oklahoma
Teens plead not guilty in death of Australian athlete
DUNCAN, Okla. (AP) — Two Oklahoma teenagers charged in the shooting death of an Australian baseball player in Oklahoma pleaded not guilty and waived their right to a speedy trial during a brief court appearance on Thursday.
Michael Dewayne Jones, 18, and Chancey Allen Luna, 16, wore orange jail jumpsuits and their hands were cuffed as they appeared before Judge Joe Enos for their arraignment on first-degree murder charges in the killing last summer of 22-year-old Chris Lane.
Enos set a trial docket date of Aug. 18 for both teens.
Prosecutors say Lane, from Melbourne, Australia, was gunned down as he jogged near his girlfriend’s parents’ house in Duncan, about 80 miles south of Oklahoma City. He was preparing to enter his senior season as a catcher at East Central University in Ada.
Another teenage defendant, James Francis Edwards Jr., 16, agreed to testify against Jones and Luna if prosecutors reduce charges against him.
Edwards testified at the preliminary hearing for Luna and Jones last month that he was rolling joints in the front passenger seat when Luna fired the fatal shot from the back while Jones drove. Luna and Jones both said they had believed the gun used in the killing held blanks, not a live round, Edwards testified.
Edwards was charged with accessory after the fact after prosecutors say he made a phone call from the Stephens County Jail between Aug. 16 and Dec. 31, 2013, and asked someone to dispose of the weapon. He is due back in court in May for a preliminary hearing for that charge.
Prosecutors have said they will drop the first-degree murder charge in exchange for him continuing to testify against the other two teenagers through trial. A lawyer for Jones has filed a motion seeking all agreements between the state and witnesses, specifically Edwards.
A gag order prevents lawyers and others from discussing the case outside of court.
Missouri
Hobby Lobby lawyer starts group in state
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — An attorney representing an Oklahoma business challenging a federal contraception coverage mandate is starting a nonprofit group in Missouri.
University of Missouri law professor Joshua Hawley is part of the legal team representing Hobby Lobby in its case before the U.S. Supreme Court arguing against a rule that some organizations must provide health insurance that includes birth control.
Hawley said Thursday that his group, the Missouri Liberty Project, will focus on raising awareness for religious liberty and constitutional rights issues. He does not anticipate donating money to individual candidates.
The high court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on Hobby Lobby’s case next week. Hobby Lobby sued to overturn the mandate on grounds that it violates the religious beliefs of founder.
