Synopsis and Recaps

[MissHolmes]

This is for synopsis and recaps of the Weleetka murders.

[GetSmart]

I brought this over here because I find it useful.
GS

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/images/statusicon/post_old.gif 06-22-2008, 10:46 PM
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Witness Summary for Reference
Witnesses (Combined)
If I heard Brown correctly in a news conference, she said there were no more than a ½ dozen combined witnesses (unless more came forward after that). At least 2 witnesses about 1 mile away heard shots, several saw POI on the road near where the girls were killed (but we don’t know if they saw the girls alive), at least one witness said he was driving on County Line Road and saw the girls walking together.

Witnesses who saw POI:
· Brown: “There were several people who were actually driving by the area who noticed him and came forward in the last few days.”
· OSBI website: During the many interviews conducted by agents, several people revealed they saw a Native American male near where the girls were killed.
· OSBI believes he was at the scene minutes before the two girls were shot and killed.
· The OSBI website says: "This person was seen outside this truck parked in the middle of the dirt road near where the two girls were found."
· And Brown also said: "He was stopped on the road actually kind of blocking the way there, standing outside his pickup truck, doing something," she said. "And they couldn't really tell what he was doing, so they kept driving because it looked a little suspicious."

Male Witness who saw the girls walking on the road together (supposedly minutes before shots were heard):
· Ben Rosser, special agent for the OSBI, said the witness was driving along County Line Road (N. 3890 Road), when he saw the two girls walking together. Rosser on Thursday described the witness, whom he would not identify, as very credible.
· The OSBI agent, however, declined to say what else the eyewitness saw — whether he saw other people along the road or perhaps a vehicle passing him. "That's something for the killers to think about," he said.

Witnesses who heard gunshots:
· Brown also said Friday that a handful of witnesses have come forward to say they heard gunshots, which helps investigators piece together a timeline for the murders.
· Witness Rebecca Kelough (and her son): Reporter: Rebecca Kelough lives less than 1 mile from where Taylor and Skyla died. Kelough: “The ones that sounded like automatic weapon fire went de de de de de de, de de de de de, and then de de de. And my son and I were outside. He heard it also.”

[GetSmart]

http://www.ok.gov/osbi/Press_Room/2008_Press_Releases/PR-2008-06-17_Okfuskee_Co._Murder_Synopsis.html
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation

A. DeWade Langley
Director

Jessica Brown
Public Information Director
06/17/08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Okfuskee County Murder Synopsis

Sunday, June 8, 2008, 13-year-old Taylor Placker and 11-year-old Skyla Whitaker were shot and killed on a dirt road in Okfuskee County. The best friends had spent the previous night at Placker’s rural home near Weleetka. Before Whitaker was to go home, the two decided to make one last trip to a nearby bridge -- a popular hangout for young people in the area. Shortly after they left Placker’s home, Whitaker’s mother called announcing she was on her way to pick up her daughter. Placker’s grandfather tried to call the girls via cell phone to ask them to return home. The girls did not answer. Placker’s grandfather then walked down the dirt road to find them. Minutes later, he discovered the girls dead along side the road and called for help.
The Okfuskee County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene shortly after the 9-1-1 call made by a family member of Placker’s. The sheriff requested OSBI help with the investigation. Since then, more than a dozen OSBI special agents have been assigned to the case and have run on hundreds of leads. During the many interviews conducted by agents, several people revealed they saw a Native American male near where the girls were killed. He was standing outside a pickup truck described as a white Ford or Chevy, single cab truck with a narrow strip of chrome down the side. The truck had an Oklahoma license tag. Witnesses described the man as Native American – possibly part Caucasian -- with a long pony tail. He is approximately 6 feet tall with a slender build. OSBI Forensic Artist Harvey Pratt met with the witnesses and has drawn a composite sketch of the person. OSBI believes he was at the scene minutes before the two girls were shot and killed. Agents want to interview him for possible leads in the case.
During the early stages of the investigation, OSBI learned two different caliber weapons were used on both girls. That could indicate two or more shooters are involved. OSBI agents and investigators with the sheriff’s office and district attorney’s office have interviewed hundreds of people and are in the process of re-interviewing family members to determine if they can remember anything more.
At the scene, OSBI crime scene agents collected several pieces of possible evidence in the case. Those items have been transported to the OSBI Forensic Science Center for analysis.
A reward in excess of $30,000 is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for these murders. If anyone has information, they should call either the OSBI hotline at 800-635-8477 or the Okfuskee County Sheriff’s Office.

[christine2448]

Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation

A. DeWade Langley
Director

Jessica Brown
Public Information Director
06/24/08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Weleetka Murders Investigation Continues

Wednesday morning, a dog trained by the ATF and its handler will search the area where the two Okfuskee girls were killed looking for any clues left behind by the killer(s). The dog is specially trained to detect anything using gunpowder, i.e. bullet casings. The ATF volunteered the dog.
The dog, its handler and OSBI agents will meet at 9 a.m. at the Cowpokes restaurant parking lot on Highway 75 off of 1-40. All media present will pick one representative from each outlet (tv, radio, newspaper) to be the pool.
As this search is happening, other OSBI agents will be running on a mountain of leads gathered so far in this case. An OSBI representative will be available at the scene to speak with media.

[i.b.nora]

For future reference, link to above press release:

Weleetka Murders Investigation Continues (http://www.ok.gov/osbi/Press_Room/2008_Press_Releases/PR-2008-06-24_Weleetka_Murders_Investigation_Continues.html)