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State of Oklahoma v. A.J.
Date: 05-10-2025
Case Number: CF-2025-****
Judge: Adair
Court: District Court, Muskogee County, Oklahoma
Plaintiff's Attorney: Muskogee County Oklahoma District Attorney's Office
Defendant's Attorney: Kent Morlan - 918-582-5544
Description:
Musklogee, OK: Defendant A.J. suffered brain damage when he was born. He cannot read and has received S.S.I. since he was a child and was cared for by his mother until she died in 2022.
Before dying, A.J.'s mother bought a house in Boynton, Oklahoma, a mostly empty former all black community in Muskogee County, which she gave to A.J. when she died.
In November 2024, A.J. had a party at his house, which B.H. crashed with a teenage girl with who he had sex in A.J.'s bathroom and left the used condom on the floor. When A.J. found the condom, he told B.H. to go, to which B.H. took great offense.
Sometime thereafter, A.J. encountered B.H., who pointed a gun at him, which A.J. reported to the authorities who did nothing.
Later, A.J. was at a local convenience store stopping when B.H. arrived at the store. A.J. in fear of B.H. hid in the store to avoid coming into contact with B.H.
Fearing B.H., A.J. avoided B.H. to the greatest extent possible and bought a handgun from another local and carried it with him when he left home.
On or about October 10, 2025, A.J. was hired to help Pierson retrieve a truck from Muskogee. After dropping off the truck, Pierson and A.J. headed for A.J.'s house and encountered "Tall Can" fixing a car in the street in Boyston and stopped to talk.
A.J. and Pierson got out of Pierson's truck to talk to Tall Can and, while doing so, B.H. and Carter came around the corner, stopped and got out of their car.
A.J. fearing B.H. got got behind Pierson and then retreated further to the passenger seat in Pierson's truck, seeking to avoid contact with B.H. but B.H. followed him.
A.J. was trapped in the truck and could not retreat further.
A.J. wanted to roll up the window of Pierson's truck but could not because he did not have a key.
B.H. came up to the truck and put both of his hands on the widowsill of the trunk said I am going to "puff you" for snitching to the cops.
B.H. then moved his right hand to his side or pocket like he was reaching for a gun.
A.J. fearing that he was about to be killed drew his gun and shot and killed B.H.
The Muskogee County District Attorney's Office charged A.J. with second-degree murder.
A.J. claims that he believed that he was about to be kill and claims that he acted in self defense.
Oklahoma Law:
In Oklahoma, a person can use reasonable force, including deadly force, in self-defense when they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to themselves or another person, or to prevent a forcible felony. The "Stand Your Ground" doctrine allows citizens to defend themselves without a duty to retreat in places where they have a legal right to be.
Key Points about Self-Defense in Oklahoma:
Reasonable Belief of Imminent Danger:
The key is a reasonable belief that deadly force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm.
"Stand Your Ground" Doctrine:
Citizens have the right to stand their ground and meet force with force, including deadly force, if they reasonably believe it's necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm.
"Make My Day" Doctrine:
This doctrine extends the "Castle Doctrine" by allowing citizens to use deadly force against intruders in dwellings where they have a legal right to be, not just their own homes.
Proportionality:
The force used must be proportional to the threat.
No Duty to Retreat:
In most cases, citizens do not have a duty to retreat before using self-defense.
If you were a juror, would you convict A.J.?
Before dying, A.J.'s mother bought a house in Boynton, Oklahoma, a mostly empty former all black community in Muskogee County, which she gave to A.J. when she died.
In November 2024, A.J. had a party at his house, which B.H. crashed with a teenage girl with who he had sex in A.J.'s bathroom and left the used condom on the floor. When A.J. found the condom, he told B.H. to go, to which B.H. took great offense.
Sometime thereafter, A.J. encountered B.H., who pointed a gun at him, which A.J. reported to the authorities who did nothing.
Later, A.J. was at a local convenience store stopping when B.H. arrived at the store. A.J. in fear of B.H. hid in the store to avoid coming into contact with B.H.
Fearing B.H., A.J. avoided B.H. to the greatest extent possible and bought a handgun from another local and carried it with him when he left home.
On or about October 10, 2025, A.J. was hired to help Pierson retrieve a truck from Muskogee. After dropping off the truck, Pierson and A.J. headed for A.J.'s house and encountered "Tall Can" fixing a car in the street in Boyston and stopped to talk.
A.J. and Pierson got out of Pierson's truck to talk to Tall Can and, while doing so, B.H. and Carter came around the corner, stopped and got out of their car.
A.J. fearing B.H. got got behind Pierson and then retreated further to the passenger seat in Pierson's truck, seeking to avoid contact with B.H. but B.H. followed him.
A.J. was trapped in the truck and could not retreat further.
A.J. wanted to roll up the window of Pierson's truck but could not because he did not have a key.
B.H. came up to the truck and put both of his hands on the widowsill of the trunk said I am going to "puff you" for snitching to the cops.
B.H. then moved his right hand to his side or pocket like he was reaching for a gun.
A.J. fearing that he was about to be killed drew his gun and shot and killed B.H.
The Muskogee County District Attorney's Office charged A.J. with second-degree murder.
A.J. claims that he believed that he was about to be kill and claims that he acted in self defense.
Oklahoma Law:
In Oklahoma, a person can use reasonable force, including deadly force, in self-defense when they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to themselves or another person, or to prevent a forcible felony. The "Stand Your Ground" doctrine allows citizens to defend themselves without a duty to retreat in places where they have a legal right to be.
Key Points about Self-Defense in Oklahoma:
Reasonable Belief of Imminent Danger:
The key is a reasonable belief that deadly force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm.
"Stand Your Ground" Doctrine:
Citizens have the right to stand their ground and meet force with force, including deadly force, if they reasonably believe it's necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm.
"Make My Day" Doctrine:
This doctrine extends the "Castle Doctrine" by allowing citizens to use deadly force against intruders in dwellings where they have a legal right to be, not just their own homes.
Proportionality:
The force used must be proportional to the threat.
No Duty to Retreat:
In most cases, citizens do not have a duty to retreat before using self-defense.
If you were a juror, would you convict A.J.?
Outcome:
If you were a juror, would you have questions about the case?
Would you vote to convict A.J. and sentence him to life in prison?
Would you vote to convict A.J. and sentence him to life in prison?
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of State of Oklahoma v. A.J.?
The outcome was: If you were a juror, would you have questions about the case? Would you vote to convict A.J. and sentence him to life in prison?
Which court heard State of Oklahoma v. A.J.?
This case was heard in District Court, Muskogee County, Oklahoma, OK. The presiding judge was Adair.
Who were the attorneys in State of Oklahoma v. A.J.?
Plaintiff's attorney: Muskogee County Oklahoma District Attorney's Office. Defendant's attorney: Kent Morlan - 918-582-5544.
When was State of Oklahoma v. A.J. decided?
This case was decided on May 10, 2025.