On February 8, 2023, Arlon Cooper, age 56, of Wewoka was found guilty of Murder in the Second Degree by a Seminole County jury. He was sentenced to a term of imprisonment in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections for 20 years.

Cooper, represented by Oklahoma City Attorney Rand Eddy, was charged with the shooting death of his long time friend Maurice King, also of Wewoka, on March 5, 2022. He had been incarcerated at the Seminole County Jail since this date. Mr. Cooper had been accused of shooting Mr. King one time in the side with a .45 pistol after a disagreement at his home. Mr. King sustained a mortal wound, passing later that night at Holdenville General Hospital.

The State of Oklahoma was represented by District Attorney Erik Johnson, and Assistant District Attorneys Candice Irby and Blayne Norman. The trial lasted three days, with witnesses to the shooting testifying in open court on Monday, technical experts from the Oklahoma State Bureau of investigation testifying on Tuesday, and then Mr. Cooper taking the stand in his own defense on Wednesday. Following Mr. Eddy and Mr. Johnson’s closing arguments, the jury deliberated for over an hour before returning a verdict for Murder in the 2nd Degree. They also had the option of returning verdicts on lesser included offenses of First or Second degree Manslaughter, but declined to do so.

“This case was a sad set of circumstances involving longtime friends, however I believe justice was served today for Maurice King and his family”, said District Attorney Erik Johnson. “I was happy to provide some sense of closure to his family, who are all wonderful people.” Mr. Johnson added “I am also proud of my prosecution team that did such a great job, and for the law enforcement and first responders that had been involved in this case.”

The verdict was welcomed by approximately 20 members of Mr. Kings family. Cooper will be formally sentenced by Judge Tim Olsen on March 8, 2023.