Guilty verdict handed down in Dragus case
After more than two hours of deliberation today, an Oklahoma County jury found Kyle Wayne Grider guilty of second-degree murder and aggravated eluding a police officer.
The jury recommended a 45-year sentence for the murder charge and five years for the eluding charge.
Grider, 23, is accused of causing the death of Oklahoma City police Sgt. Jonathan Dragus. Grider led police on a high-speed chase on Oct. 20, 2005, which later led to a wreck in which Dragus was killed.
The seven-man, five-woman jury began deliberating about 4:15 p.m.
Prosecutors contend Grider is responsible for the crash because he chose to run when Dragus tried to pull him over for driving a stolen motorcycle.
"It's as a result of his choices that a policeman is killed,†Assistant District Attorney Steve Deutsch said, pointing at Grider. "There is no question, under the law, that he is responsible.â€
Grider faces up to life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder. Eluding a police officer carries a sentence of up to five years in prison.
Today's closing arguments came after more than 30 witnesses described Grider's decision to run from police, a chase that crossed much of Oklahoma City, the wreck that killed Dragus and the ensuing manhunt for the man who had been on the motorcycle
After more than two hours of deliberation today, an Oklahoma County jury found Kyle Wayne Grider guilty of second-degree murder and aggravated eluding a police officer.
The jury recommended a 45-year sentence for the murder charge and five years for the eluding charge.
Grider, 23, is accused of causing the death of Oklahoma City police Sgt. Jonathan Dragus. Grider led police on a high-speed chase on Oct. 20, 2005, which later led to a wreck in which Dragus was killed.
The seven-man, five-woman jury began deliberating about 4:15 p.m.
Prosecutors contend Grider is responsible for the crash because he chose to run when Dragus tried to pull him over for driving a stolen motorcycle.
"It's as a result of his choices that a policeman is killed,†Assistant District Attorney Steve Deutsch said, pointing at Grider. "There is no question, under the law, that he is responsible.â€
Grider faces up to life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder. Eluding a police officer carries a sentence of up to five years in prison.
Today's closing arguments came after more than 30 witnesses described Grider's decision to run from police, a chase that crossed much of Oklahoma City, the wreck that killed Dragus and the ensuing manhunt for the man who had been on the motorcycle