Preparedness
Oklahoma Judge on Trial: Two Drive-bys Linked by Lone Glock
A judicial official in Oklahoma finds himself on the flip side of the law, as he has been indicted for involvement in two separate drive-by shootings that took place in 2023, one of which took place on a property belonging to his brother-in-law.
Close to 3:30 in the afternoon on the 12th of February, 2023, a vehicle approached a ranch in Bison, Oklahoma, approximately 75 miles north of Oklahoma City, and discharged several shots. The property’s owner, Kenneth Markes, has stated that bullets pierced his residence, causing damage to a window, a wall, and his oven. A solitary bullet alongside five empty .40-caliber shell casings was later found at the scene. Although Markes’ son was present at the time, thankfully, no one was harmed.
Markes expressed his disbelief by saying, “Seeing a person in a window, and missing by a matter of inches, is not just a random shooting.”
Notably, two days after this event, Markes’ brother-in-law, Brian Lovell — a 59-year-old associate judge in Garfield County, Oklahoma — reported that a firearm had been stolen from his vehicle.
As the year progressed to September 11th, a man was seen in a white SUV near the crossroads of Matamoros and Santa Maria in Austin, Texas, allegedly pointing a weapon and firing at other vehicles. A witness described the suspect as “a white male, wearing a baseball-style hat and grey shirt.”
The suspect reportedly fired a minimum of five shots, with police finding “several vehicles with projectile defect in them,” according to the affidavit. Three .40-caliber shell casings were later discovered at the scene.
Interestingly, about an hour later, Judge Brian Lovell was arrested less than two miles from the intersection where the shooting occurred, after his white SUV with Oklahoma plates allegedly hit another vehicle twice.
The affidavit stated, “This SUV was driven by a white male, wearing a baseball-style hat and a grey shirt who was identified as Brian Noel Lovell … by his Oklahoma Driver’s License.” Police also spotted “a black firearm in the front passenger floor board of Lovell’s SUV.”
Lovell confirmed that he had hit the woman’s vehicle twice but denied doing so intentionally. When questioned about the shooting earlier that day, he seemed to draw a blank. “Lovell advised he did not know why he would have shot his gun and he could not recall any part of the shooting incident,” the affidavit said.
Fortunately, no one was hurt in either the Austin shooting or the minor vehicle accident.
In November, two months after the Austin shooting and nine months after Markes’ ranch shooting, ballistic tests revealed both incidents involved the same weapon, a Glock 23 .40-caliber.
Fast forward to February 2024, Lovell found himself under arrest and facing eight felony counts of deadly conduct — discharge of a firearm relating to the Austin shooting. He was granted a $10,000 bond and released upon payment. His hearing for this case is set for June.
Recently, Lovell was arraigned on one felony count of use of a vehicle to facilitate the discharge of a firearm and an alternative felony count of discharging a firearm into a dwelling in relation to the shooting at Markes’ residence. As Lovell did not enter a plea, the court entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf. He was given a $25,000 bond and released under the condition that he avoids Markes and his family and all firearms.
Stephen Jones, Lovell’s defense attorney in Oklahoma, questions the indictment. “It was a long time before the indictment was returned and that bears on him and his family. But he’s a strong character,” Jones stated. “And in my view, he’s innocent.”
Jones further conveyed the defense’s intention to “attack the jurisdiction and soundness of the indictment.” “From our own investigation, the evidence is insufficient to convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt,” Jones argued.
Meanwhile, Markes displayed less confidence in his brother-in-law’s innocence. “I had no idea that it could’ve been Brian Lovell,” Markes shared. He reiterated his earlier sentiment: “Seeing a person in a window, and missing by a matter of inches, is not just a random shooting.”
Lovell’s court hearing concerning the shooting at Markes’ ranch is scheduled for late August. Garfield County District Judge Paul Woodward previously stated that Lovell had agreed not to preside over cases until his own case is fully resolved.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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A Georgia homeowner found herself in an unexpected legal predicament after confronting an alleged squatter in her property. Loletha Hale, who owns a house in Livingston, Georgia, had been dealing with a squatter situation since August, according to her account to WSB-TV. Despite her attempts to resolve the issue, it was Hale who ended up in jail.
Hale’s troubles began when she discovered Sakemeyia Johnson residing in her home with a former tenant. The tenant had previously been evicted, and Johnson initially received a citation for squatting. However, a court later ruled that “Sakemeyia Johnson is not a squatter,” despite Hale’s insistence that Johnson was never a tenant.
On December 9, Hale entered her house to prepare it for a new renter and encountered Johnson once more. Hale claimed that Johnson had “broken the locks” to gain access. She stated, “She just caught up out of nowhere. She had this guy with her, and I locked the door. I locked the screen door, and he forced himself in telling us to get out.”
Despite Hale’s efforts to have Johnson charged with trespassing, it was Hale who was arrested. Police body cam footage captured an officer explaining to Hale that not everyone is as fortunate as she is, saying, “Everybody isn’t as fortunate as you to have a bed.”
Johnson, on the other hand, maintained, “I was written a citation saying I was a squatter. But a judge signed an order saying that I wasn’t a squatter.” The police arrested Hale on charges of executing an illegal eviction and making terroristic threats, as she was heard saying, “leave before I get my gun.”
Hale expressed her disbelief at the situation, stating, “To see that woman walk into my mom’s house while I was in the police car, something is wrong with this picture. Something is inherently wrong with this picture.” She also questioned, “How can she not be squatting when I’ve never had any type of contract relationship with this person.”
Reflecting on her arrest, Hale described the experience as humiliating, saying, “I spent the night on a mat on a concrete floor in deplorable conditions. While this woman, this squatter slept in my home.” She is uncertain when she will be able to return to her property, as she awaits a hearing for Johnson’s appeal, despite Johnson not meeting the statutory requirements for one.
Hale remains in a state of limbo, unsure of when she will regain access to her home, and continues to seek legal resolution to the situation.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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In a startling turn of events in Raleigh, North Carolina, a 17-year-old’s attempt at carjacking quickly unraveled, demonstrating the risks involved when targeting armed citizens. The incident unfolded on a Sunday night, with the young suspect’s plans going awry almost immediately.
The teenager, armed and dangerous, initiated the carjacking in the Red Roof Inn parking lot along Arrow Road. Despite his aggressive approach, the suspect’s aim left much to be desired. “Well, would y’all look at it — a free notice to all wannabe carjackers!” a commenter remarked on social media. The intended victim, a man, emerged unscathed, largely due to the suspect’s poor marksmanship.
Crucially, the victim was not defenseless. He had his own firearm and was prepared to use it. According to police reports, the man returned fire, successfully wounding the teen. The suspect was subsequently transported to a hospital, where he was treated for injuries that were not life-threatening.
The community’s response to the incident has been supportive of the victim’s actions. “Glad [the] victim was able to defend himself,” one commenter noted, reflecting a broader sentiment of approval for self-defense in such dangerous situations. Another individual expressed satisfaction that the victim fought back, stating, “Glad to see someone fighting back with these punk[s].”
As the investigation continues, charges are pending against the young suspect. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences for those who engage in criminal activities, especially in areas where citizens are armed and ready to protect themselves.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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In the early hours following Christmas Day, a tragic incident unfolded in Madison, Indiana, when a homeowner reportedly shot and killed two intruders. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office received a distress call at 3:48 a.m. on December 26 from a resident on North Bulldog Drive. The caller, who claimed to have shot two individuals who had broken into his home, brought attention to a situation that has left the community on edge.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered the bodies of Dalton Keith Skirvin, 27, and Kaleb Adam Skirvin, 29, both of whom were brothers and residents of Madison. Their past records reveal that Dalton had faced multiple charges related to theft and burglary in 2017 and 2018.
A neighbor, Heather, who resides a few houses away from the scene, described the homeowner as a “friendly guy, never had any issues with him. Sweet neighbor.” Having lived in the area for nearly two decades, Heather emphasized the close-knit nature of the community, noting that everyone knows each other. She also mentioned that she went to school with the Skirvin brothers.
The neighborhood has experienced a series of break-ins recently, with one occurring just days before the fatal shooting at the same residence. Charles Pruitt, who lives across the street, recounted a conversation with the homeowner a few nights prior. “He called me and told me that somebody broke into his garage,” Pruitt shared.
Reflecting on the incident, Pruitt expressed his concerns: “It’s scary. Could have been my house they broke into.” This sentiment resonates with other residents who have chosen to remain off-camera but acknowledge the growing unease due to the recent burglaries.
As the investigation continues, it remains uncertain whether the homeowner will face any charges related to the incident. The community, while grappling with the aftermath, is left to ponder the delicate balance between self-defense and the tragic loss of life.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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Donna
May 23, 2024 at 5:28 pm
Nothing should be done about gun laws other than making it easy for non-criminals to own guns