Storm clouds over Hominy, Oklahoma. Photo by Matthew Hartman
Two brothers from the Muscogee Nation are facing charges at the tribal, state and maybe even federal level in connection with a murder in September 2015. But jurisdictional issues have effectively stalled the case against Jeremy Reece, 31, and Tyler Reece, 19. First-degree murder charges in state court were dismissed earlier this year because a judge said the death of Rick Holt, 46, occurred on Indian land, where the state lacks authority. The Osage Nation has since filed first-degree homicide charges against the brothers because the tribe said Holt was killed on a restricted allotment within its territory. But the arraignment has been pushed back to September amid questions about the state's case, The Tulsa World reported. “We’re still waiting to see what the state is going to do,” Osage Nation Assistant Attorney General Jeff Jones told reporter Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton. “For now at least, we’re playing second fiddle to them."
Jeremy Reece, left, and Tyler Reece, are members of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma. Photos from Osage County Sheriff's Office
Then there's the federal government. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case, The World reported, and the Reeces themselves have argued that they should tried at the federal level since they are Indian and since the alleged crime occurred on Indian land. But federal charges aren't guaranteed. And while the state is trying to reinstate the murder charges, it's possible the brothers will escape prosecution for the most serious element of the case. "If the state loses its murder appeal and the feds decide not to indict them, then we will need to proceed," Jones told The World. According to state authorities, Holt was kidnapped from land under the state's jurisdiction. His body was found on Indian land near Hominy, Oklahoma. Ann Marie Reece, the mother of Jeremy and Tyler, also has been charged as being an accessory. Her race was recorded as "I" for "Indian" in Osage County records. The brothers have been held in Osage County jail since last September. Holt was not Indian but was once married to an Osage citizen, The Osage News reported. The couple was divorced. Read More on the Story:
Legal limbo: Brothers could face only 1 year in jail in Pawhuska oilman's slaying (The Tulsa World 8/5)
Judge continues Reece brothers hearing to Sept. 29 (The Osage News 8/4) Earlier Coverage:
Osage Nation files charges against brothers (The Bartlesville Examiner Enterprise 5/24)
Osage Nation picks up Reece brothers case after DA fumbles (The Osage News 5/23)
Pawhuska Murder Suspects Request Bond After DA Misses Appeal Deadline (News on 6 5/18)
Judge re-affirms Pawhuska murder case ruling (The Pawhuska Journal-Capital 5/2)
Brothers Charged In Pawhuska Man’s Murder Argue For Federal Trial (News on 6 1/26)
Mother Of 2 Men Accused In Pawhuska Oilman's Murder Also Charged (News on 6 9/23)
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