Date: 12-14-2024

Case Style:

State of Oklahoma v. Darren D. Bradford

Case Number: 2024 OK CR 3

Judge: William J. Musseman

Court: IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA

Plaintiff's Attorney: Oklahoma County, Oklahoma District Attorney's Office

Defendant's Attorney:

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Description:

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged Murder in the Second Degree
The State charged Darren D. Bradford, in the District Court of Bryan County, Case No. CF-2022-206, with Murder in the Second Degree

Appellee shot and killed his half-brother, Willie Berry, on August 14, 2022, as Appellee and his sister, Ronda Hayden, were leaving the residence in Appellee's vehicle. Earlier that day, Appellee and Hayden learned from Mr. Berry's wife, Shelia Berry, that there was an ongoing domestic altercation between Mr. and Mrs. Berry, and that Mr. Berry was punching holes in the wall and throwing glass. While Mr. and Mrs. Berry resided in the home, all three of the siblings (Appellee, Mr. Berry, and Hayden) owned the home in trust. Appellee and Hayden decided to visit the home purportedly to ensure Mr. Berry was not damaging the home and stop Mr. and Mrs. Berry fighting in front of the minor children residing in the home.

¶5 Upon arriving outside the home, Appellee and Mr. Berry immediately engaged in a verbal altercation that became physical. While Appellee was aware Mr. Berry owned a firearm, he did not believe he had it on his person during this altercation. At some point during this altercation, Appellee drew a firearm, displaying it to Mr. Berry, because Appellee believed Mr. Berry to possess a knife. Furthermore, Mr. Berry purportedly told Appellee that he was going to kill him, and Appellee believed this threat. The altercation ended with Mr. Berry on the ground inside the home's screened in porch with Mr. Berry saying, "I have something for you," followed by Mr. Berry entering the home. Appellee and Hayden decided to leave and retreated to Appellee's vehicle and started driving down the public road.

¶6 Leaving the home, Appellee made a left hand turn after coming to a stop at the intersection near the residence when both Appellee and Hayden heard a gunshot, causing them to stop the vehicle and duck within for cover. Both Appellee and Hayden believed Mr. Berry was shooting at them.4 In response, Appellee retrieved his .38 revolver and got out of the vehicle. Appellee testified that he believed Mr. Berry was shooting at Hayden and him and, due to Hayden's scream after the gunshot, that she had been hit by the gunfire.5 Appellee was also concerned Mr. Berry was going to shoot the gas tank. Appellee testified that he knew he was going to get shot but was trying to protect Hayden and himself. Upon exiting the vehicle, Appellee saw Mr. Berry standing with his arms at shoulder height and believed him to be holding a firearm, though he could not see one.6 Appellee fired several shots at Mr. Berry, then returned to his vehicle and left the scene. Shortly thereafter, Appellee drove to the local police station to surrender himself.

ANALYSIS

¶7 As an initial matter, we exercise jurisdiction under 22 O.S.Supp.2022, § 1053(7) over the State's appeal of the trial court's order finding Appellee immune from prosecution. The State contends that the trial court abused its discretion when it found that Appellee had met his burden of proof and was entitled to immunity pursuant to 21 O.S.2021, § 1289.25(F). We disagree.

¶8 The State takes issue with whether Appellee was attacked and whether Appellee reasonably believed it necessary to use deadly force, largely arguing that conflicting evidence supports the case proceeding to jury trial. However, the immunity hearing contemplated by Section 1289.25 is not simply a summary judgment on self-defense. When a defendant invokes statutory immunity under Title 21, Section 1289.25(F), the court must hold a pre-trial hearing to determine if the preponderance of the evidence warrants immunity. Reynolds v. State, 2022 OK CR 14, ¶ 15, 516 P.3d 249, 255. The district court must weigh and decide factual disputes as to the defendant's use of force to determine whether to dismiss the case based on statutory immunity. See id. 2022 OK CR 14, ¶ 16, 516 P.3d at 256. The defendant has the burden of proof on the issue of whether immunity attaches to his or her actions. Id. 2022 OK CR 14, ¶ 15, 516 P.3d at 255 (holding defendant has the burden of proof to show, by a preponderance of the evidence, that his or her use of allegedly defensive force was legally justified).

¶9 On appeal, we review the district court's ruling for an abuse of discretion. Id. 2022 OK CR 14, ¶ 12, 516 P.3d at 255. We "will find an abuse of discretion only where the district court's ruling was a clearly erroneous conclusion made without proper consideration of the relevant facts and law." Id. See generally Rules 16.1, et seq., Rules of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, Title 22, Ch.18, App. (2024) (rules and procedures governing hearings on, and appeals from, orders granting or denying, immunity from prosecution pursuant to Title 21, Section 1289.25(F)).

¶10 Here, the trial court evaluated Appellee's claim of immunity under Title 21, Section 1289.25(D).7 The trial court found Appellee demonstrated by a preponderance of the evidence that (1) he was not engaged in an unlawful activity; (2) he was on a public roadway when he was attacked by Mr. Berry, a place where he had a right to be; and (3) he reasonably believed it necessary to use deadly force to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself and/or Hayden. As a result, Appellee "ha[d] no duty to retreat and ha[d] the right to stand his . . . ground and meet force with force, including deadly force. . . ." 21 O.S.Supp.2022, § 1289.25(D).

¶11 The trial court complied with the procedure required for pre-trial motions alleging immunity under Section 1289.25(F). It held an evidentiary hearing, considered all testimony and exhibits introduced both at the immunity hearing and the preliminary hearing to resolve disputed issues of fact, and found the preponderance of the evidence supported immunity. Such evidence included Mr. Berry's recent threat to kill Appellee, Mr. Berry saying he had something for Appellee as he went into the house, both Appellee and Hayden believing Mr. Berry shot at them and taking cover in the vehicle, and that Appellee returned fire at Mr. Berry. Moreover, Appellee saw Mr. Berry with his arms at shoulder height and believed he had a firearm, though he could not see it, and believed Hayden had been struck by Mr. Berry's gunfire. The trial court's ruling was not an abuse of discretion based on the record before it. Accordingly, the State's claim is denied.

Outcome:

Defendant was found guilty and The ruling of the trial court is AFFIRMED

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Defendant's Experts:

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