SALLISAW, Okla. (AP) About 100 people angered over a court's decision to overturn Daniel Hawke Fears' murder convictions gathered to express outrage over the killer's release from prison.
The United Victims Rally yesterday at the Sequoyah County Fairgrounds in Sallisaw included many who were directly affected by Fears' October 2002 shooting rampage that left two people dead and eight others wounded.
Eight months ago, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals unanimously reversed Fears' two convictions on first-degree murder and multiple shooting with intent to kill, and his life-without-parole sentences. Fears reportedly admitted the shootings to authorities, but defense testimony focused on his mental illness.
The appellate judges also voted 3-to-2 to impose their own verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity and avoid a retrial altogether.
Labels: Crime, Daniel Hawke Fears
Posted at 3/12/2007 09:45:00 AM
