State of Oklahoma v. Anthony James Mann

Chickasha, Oklahoma, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with first-degree murder.

The victim, Charles Keene, was abducted and murdered in the early morning hours of January 23, 1983. His body was weighted with a heavy chain, fastened to a cement block and dropped in the Washita River. He had multiple contusions, cuts, including a slit in his throat and a broken leg. The cause of death, however, was attributed to two gun shot wounds, one in the head and one in the chest. At the time of Keene's death, he was staying with his ex-wife, Vickie Keene, and their two young children. He was abducted from her home on the night of his death.

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Appellant's first assignment of error is an objection to the admission of a color video tape recording of Keene's body being recovered from the river. The only objection made at trial was that the exhibit was more prejudicial than probative. On appeal, however, appellant is also claiming the state failed to lay a proper foundation for the introduction of this exhibit. Appellant's failure to object at trial, that the state had not established the admissibility of the exhibit before it was offered, is a waiver of this issue. 12 O.S. 1981 § 2104 [12-2104](A).

The Defendant was found guilty and was sentenced to death.