Guilty plea entered for manslaughter on Muscogee (Creek) Nation

R. Trent Shores, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation who serves as the U.S. Attorney for Northern Oklahoma, testifies at at Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing in Washington, D.C., on October 25, 2017. Photo: SCIA

Tulsa Man Pleads Guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter in Indian Country

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Source: United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma

justice.gov/usao-ndok

TULSA, Oklahoma – A Tulsa man pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in Indian Country after he shot and killed a woman in Philpott Park on July 10, 2020, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

James Michael Landry, 29, committed the crime on the Creek Nation reservation. The victim was an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation.

“James Landry tried to explain away what happened the day he killed Crystal Bradley, but thanks to the coordinated efforts of law enforcement, the truth came out. Today, Mr. Landry pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and will be held accountable for his inexcusable actions,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “In partnership with the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, my office has worked relentlessly to ensure every victim of violent crime experiences a measure of justice and that no case falls through the cracks. With three sovereigns – tribal, state, and federal – communicating and coordinating, I believe we have a blueprint for success in the criminal justice arena in the post-McGirt world.”

In his plea agreement, Landry admitted that on July 10, 2020 without malice, but upon a sudden quarrel or heat of passion, he unlawfully shot and killed Crystal Bradley.

U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell set sentencing for February 22, 2021.

The FBI, Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police Department and the Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan M. Roberts is prosecuting the case.