Tuesday two Sapulpa men accused of sex crimes against children asked the court for jury trials in their respective cases.
Howard Harjo, 55, former adjunct softball coach, was charged in June with nine counts of felony child sexual exploitation, nine counts of possession of child pornography and multiple counts of peeping tom using electronic devices.
School personnel found camera and taping equipment in a sports facility bathroom and notified authorities. After an investigation, Harjo was arrested.
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He originally plead not guilty on July 3. After several pretrial conferences, and dates for disposition through November, Oklahoma Indigent Defense attorney Larry Roberson asked to pass the disposition until Tuesday. During that court hearing, the State expected a plea agreement or a request for a jury trial.
Patrick Misner, 27, was charged in July with first degree rape, victim under the age of 14, lewd molestation and first degree burglary for the April attack on a 4-year old girl south of Sapulpa.
Investigators sent off evidence to the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation laboratory. DNA evidence came back to Misner.
When the OSBI returned the results to the Creek County Sheriff’s Office, area law enforcement worked with agencies all over the Pacific Northwest to bring Misner into custody.
In August, the court awarded Misner an attorney through the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System. Roberson took his case. Misner pled not guilty in October.
In a November hearing, Roberson asked to pass the disposition until January. On Tuesday, Robertson announced Misner’s decision for a jury trial.
Harjo remains in custody. His bonds total $390,000. Misner remains in custody. His bonds total $750,000.
Both are scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on March 12. Their cases are scheduled to go before a jury in the April, 2013 jury term.
