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 |

United Victims group concerned over Title 43A Legislation in Oklahoma that governs how the criminally insane are released back into the community. Daniel Hawke Fears may be released due to a loophole in the law. The group asks Governor Brad Henry for an emergency session of the Legislature. Sallisaw, OK (PRWEB) February 22, 2007 -- United Victims group is asking Governor Brad Henry to create an emergency session of the Legislature to amend Title 43A Legislation that allows the criminally insane to re-enter the community. A rally slated for March 10, 2007 at the Sequoyah County Fairgrounds will inform the community of Sallisaw about the issues and move toward a community based effort to pressure lawmakers for a change in the statute. Daniel Hawke Fears was convicted in September 23, 2004 for the killing of two women, Patsy Wells and Reba Spangler and shooting several others during a shooting spree covering 20 miles of U.S. 64 from Sallisaw to Roland Oklahoma. A Sequoyah County jury convicted Fears to two terms of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole; nine terms of life imprisonment; and 120 years. On July 7, 2006, by unpublished Opinion the Court reversed and remanded the case to the District Court of Sequoyah County for entry of a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. United Victims group urges lawmakers to also adopt a policy that prevents insane persons who commit heinous crimes to be under security for the remainder of their lives. Roger Nix, United Victims Coordinator and son of Patsy Wells stated "it is too dangerous to experiment with the community when dealing with someone who has demonstrated his capability of killing innocent people." Dr. Lee Coleman, M.D. in his book "The Reign of Error: Psychiatry, Authority, and Law" states, "First, psychiatrists do not have the tools that society thinks they have. They have no special way of predicting who will commit a criminal act or of determining when a criminal is cured of antisocial tendencies. They have no tests to determine a person's innermost thoughts, even though the courts assume they do." United Victims Rally "Keep Sallisaw Safe" is scheduled for March 10, 2007 at the Sequoyah County Fairgrounds Community Building, corner of Redwood Street and Shurley Avenue at 10:00am.

Labels: Crime, Daniel Hawke Fears

Posted at 2/22/2007 09:23:00 AM |

Oklahoma Criminal Court of Appeals judges, Charles Chapel, Charles Johnson and David Lewis may have violated their Oath of Office when ruling on Fears v. State, Case No. F-2004-1279, January 26, 2007. United Victims group seeks support from the Oklahoma Legislature to launch an impeachment investigation. Sallisaw, OK (PRWEB) February 15, 2007 -- Daniel Hawke Fears was convicted in September 23, 2004 for the killing of two women, Patsy Wells and Reba Spangler and shooting several others during a shooting spree covering 20 miles of U.S. 64 from Sallisaw to Roland Oklahoma. A Sequoyah County jury convicted Fears to two terms of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole; nine terms of life imprisonment; and 120 years. On July 7, 2006, by unpublished Opinion the Court reversed and remanded the case to the District Court of Sequoyah County for entry of a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Attorney General, Drew Edmondson filed a Petition for Rehearing on July 19, 2006. The Oklahoma Criminal Court of Appeals issued an order staying the mandate on July 20, 2006. On January 26, 2007 the Court denied the Petition for Rehearing and ordered Fears to a mental facility in Vinita, Oklahoma. The jury in this case was denied its decision and essentially ruled incompetent. United Victims group is asking the Legislature to investigate possible Constitutional violations in the appeal of Fears v. State. under Article 8, Section 1 & 4 of the Constitution of Oklahoma. Court members may have violated their oath, consciously disregarded state law and incorrectly cited the "Oklahoma Truth in Sentencing Act" as law that was repealed July 1, 1999 without ever taking effect. See 1998 Okla. Sess. Laws, 1st Ex.Sess., ch. 2 § 23 (eff. July 1, 1999) and, 1999 Okla. Sess. Laws, 1st Ex. Sess., ch. 5 § 452 (eff. July 1, 1999) Read more...

Labels: Crime, Daniel Hawke Fears, OK Legislature

Posted at 2/16/2007 09:35:00 AM |