Local news
Kingfisher County prosecutor takes on ‘video vigilante’ case
A Kingfisher County prosecutor has been appointed to handle the pandering case against self-proclaimed “video vigilante” Brian Bates and his wife.
Bates and his wife, Vickie, are accused of paying prostitutes to lure clients into areas where he could film them.
Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater disqualified himself to avoid any appearance of impropriety in the case against Bates, who openly endorsed Prater in last November’s election and was a vocal critic of Prater’s predecessor, Wes Lane.
Attorney General Drew Edmondson appointed District Attorney Cathy Stocker, of Enid, as Prater’s replacement. Stocker then assigned the case to Bryan Slabotsky, who runs her office in Kingfisher County.
This is the second time Stocker’s office has been asked to review a case involving the “video vigilante.”
Stocker’s office also was assigned to investigate whether Bates broke any laws in September when he allegedly handed out fliers critical of Lane to prospective jurors at Oklahoma County District Court.
“Last week, Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater recused his office from continuing the prosecution of Brian Bates on charges that had been filed by former District Attorney Wes Lane before Prater took office,” Stocker said. “The attorney general has now appointed me to take over the prosecution of those pending cases. I have assigned the pending cases to my Kingfisher County assistant district attorney, Bryan Slabotsky, a capable experienced prosecutor.”
Stocker said prosecutors will review all the files in the case before making any decisions.
“Although I have reviewed the investigative materials provided to me by the attorney general and Wes Lane regarding the original matter assigned to me,” Stocker said, “no final decision will be made until after Bryan Slabotsky completes a review of all of the pending cases.”
Staff writer Cass Rains contributed to this story.
- Local news
-
-
Voters go to polls today to decide Enid’s $99.45M school bond issue
Many school officials will be watching today as votes are tallied for several issues across the county, including Enid Public Schools’ $99.45 million bond issue.
-
Florists brace for V-Day
Valentine’s Day falls on Sunday this year but that doesn’t mean you’ve lost the opportunity to brighten your sweetheart’s work- day with a much-deserved floral arrangement.
-
UPDATED PHOTOS - Inmates still on loose
Oklahoma Highway Patrol said Monday three inmates remain on the loose after escaping from William S. Key Correctional Center in Fort Supply.
- EHS band hosting chili supper
-
UPDATED photo- Silver Alert issued for missing Garfield County man
Garfield County authorities have issued a Silver Alert for an 88-year-old man who hasn’t been seen since leaving for church. The county sheriff’s office says Edward Sutter was last seen about 9:30 a.m. Sunday when he left home for 1st United Methodist Church in Enid. Sutter never arrived at the church. He was last seen driving a gray, 2003 Toyota Avalon. Authorities had initially said he was driving a Toyota Altima.
-
NEW: Roads getting slicker as temps drop below freezing
Motorists should be cautious as snow continues to fall.
- Another winter storm hits state; 2 more slated to follow this week
-
Rotary reaches goal to have members become part of the Paul Harris Fellowship
Enid Rotary Club always has been one of the most active clubs in the state but recently succeeded in a project few clubs achieve.
- Rotary International is ‘service above self’
- Black History Month lecture slated Feb. 16
- More Local news Headlines
-
