MAY 14, 2021
Stratford man in federal custody after charged for allegedly murdering girlfriend (kxii.com)
Wow, thank you so much for all the information!
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Court documents show Washington tried to seek the McGirt ruling, which states that Oklahoma district attorneys have no jurisdiction in tribal crimes committed to or against tribal citizens.
But Pontotoc District Attorney Paul Smith said the federal government picked up his case, and said Washington will remain in federal custody in the Pittsburg County Jail in McAlester.
Smith said Washington has been charged for murder in Indian Country. He is due in court via video conference on May 17, 2021 at 10 a.m.
MAY 18, 2021
Feds to prosecute 2019 Pauls Valley murder case - (kten.com)
Tanner Dean Washington, the 26-year-old man accused of murdering his 17-year-old girlfriend in Pauls Valley, is heading to federal court.
This is yet another big case in southern Oklahoma that state prosecutors were forced to drop because of the Supreme Court's McGirt vs. Oklahoma ruling.
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MAY 20, 2021
Federal Charge Filed Against Man In Connection To Missing Pauls Valley Teen (news9.com)
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The case ended up being dismissed in Pontotoc County. But a federal complaint for first-degree murder against Washington was filed in federal court earlier this month.
The new criminal complaint details that on or about October 27 of 2019 Washington willfully and maliciously shot Lindsey.
The probable cause affidavit also states Washington told an ex-girlfriend Lindsey was dead and he was the reason why.
Court documents stated that ex noticed blood on Washington's shoes, pants and phone.
Officials with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation were later given all clear, following search warrants, and found that same blood on Washington’s clothing as well as in the Camaro he was driving and in a truck he had just sold.
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