Oklahoma man held over for trial on charge of shooting his wife
JAY, Okla. — A murder charge involving the death of a nine-week-old unborn child that authorities say occurred during a domestic violence shooting was dismissed Tuesday against an Afton man.
Robert Randall, Jr. 51, appeared in Delaware County District Court before Special Judge Nick Lelecas for a preliminary hearing on an assault and battery with a dangerous weapon charge.
After hearing testimony from two witnesses, Lelecas held Randall over for trial and set his district court arraignment for April 18.
Terry Allen, Randall’s attorney argued the charge should be dismissed because the victim did not testify at the hearing.
Since the second-degree murder charge was dismissed, Lelecas set Randall’s bail at $500,000 and ordered him not to have contact with the victim if he is released on bail.
After the hearing, prosecutor Rowdy Yates said the second-degree murder charge was dropped because the woman was pregnant but questions surfaced if she was pregnant at the time of the alleged shooting.
Randall reportedly confessed to Delaware County authorities that he shot his wife Kendra Randall, 33, in the throat on Nov. 28.
“A woman stepped out of the bedroom with a towel on her neck,” Delaware County Deputy Billy Sparks testified, about what he saw when he walked into the residence.
Sparks said he was dispatched to the scene around 3:45 a.m.
Blood was on the towel and her shirt, he said during the hearing.
“It looked like she had two gunshot wounds to the neck.”
Delaware County Deputy Billy Sparks
Initially authorities thought Kendra was shot multiple times, in her chest, neck and wrist.
Sparks said he took photographs of the woman’s injuries before she was transported to a hospital.
Sparks said he recovered a silver revolver with a black handle in an outside storage building that also doubled as a shop.
Former Delaware County Sheriff’s dispatcher Cheyenne Pitts testified that Randall said when he called 911, his wife had been hitting him and “the gun went off.”
Pitts also said Randall told her, he shot the woman in the throat.
The 911 call was played during the hearing. A voice reportedly to be Randall, is heard saying, “My wife was hitting me.” Also heard on the recording is a muffled voice arguing with Randall.
Randall responded, “You were hitting me.”
“She won’t stop” and “she doesn’t live here,” is heard on the recording.
Randall said to the dispatcher, the woman was shot in the throat and he confirmed she was still breathing.
“Hope you guys drug test her too,” Randall is heard on the recording.
The four juvenile children at the scene were placed with the Kendra’s mother.
Randall confessed to authorities at the time of the shooting, Kendra had arrived at his residence mad and banging on the locked door of a camper in which he was staying. The camper was located on the back portion of the property, according to an arrest affidavit.
If you, or someone you know, is in a domestic violence situation please reach out to the Delaware County Sheriff at (918) 253-4531, the Community Crisis Center at (918) 253-3939 in Jay or (918) 787-5381 in Grove or Wyandotte Nation (877) 276-0669 24 Hr. Hotline.
