Pritchard murder trial began with jury selection Monday

Around 200 potential jurors appeared Monday at the Stephens County District Courthouse for the trial of Karen Jean Pritchard, 52, of Marlow. Pritchard is charged with murdering Ashley Nicole Anderson, 31, in 2021. The state filed a second-degree murder charge and 138 counts of animal cruelty. She has been out on bond awaiting trial.

Pritchard entered the courtroom wearing a pair of jeans and a black blazer over a shirt. Representing Pritchard are attorneys Carl Buckholts of Duncan, and Tracy Schumacher of Norman, seated to her left at the defense table located on the west side of the courtroom.

For the prosecution, Assistant District Attorney Cortnie Siess and Timothy Vann of the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office took their places at the state’s table on the east side of the courtroom. The juror’s box, located on the same side soon filled up with a dozen potential jurors.

Presiding Judge G. Brent Russell spoke to the jurors about the process. One man, a non-citizen, was dismissed and Russell wished him good luck on his efforts on becoming a citizen. All citizens over the age of 70 were asked to approach the bench. They were given the option to be dismissed. A 77-year-old man chose his right to be dismissed because of medical reasons.

Another 18 jurors were called to fill the first three rows on the east side of the courtroom. The remaining jurors were required to stay and listen during the proceedings for jury selection.

A Marlow woman was also dismissed during the process because she had intimate knowledge of the case. She is married to a Marlow firefighter who was one of the many people at the Pritchard property in 2021, during the initial report and rescue of animals.

A list of potential witnesses for both sides was read by the Judge, and jurors were asked if they had any connection to any of those individuals and if so, what their association. Among those for the state – Undersheriff Rick Lang, Investigator Justin Scott, multiple deputies with the sheriff’s office, including former deputies, animal shelter rescue workers and area veterinarians including Rita Cobb of Rush Springs. The defendant’s list of witnesses included Gerald Elam, Danny Farmer and Scotty Mayberry, all of the Marlow and Bray area.

Most of the potential jurors are Duncan residents, with only a few from Marlow or the county.

Many questions asked of the jurors were sensitive, but as Russell explained, “we’re all adults here” and that transparency was necessary. He said the questions were not intended to make anyone uncomfortable. Those questions ranged from if anyone had any convictions or dealings with the local court and law enforcement to if anyone had been the victim of a crime. The goal was to determine if each juror could deliver a fair and unbiased verdict. One juror said she had known the victim, Anderson, for about five years. Another female juror when asked if she could deliver a fair verdict said, “potentially not.” She was dismissed.

Jurors were candid with their answers regarding their own personal history – ranging from being charged with a dog off leash misdemeanor in Duncan, to a young mom who had a DUI, and an older man who had been investigated on allegations of inappropriately touching a young student. An older female juror said her husband had been charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance about 24 years earlier, and that she believed the outcome of that case went the way it should have. She also admitted to being a victim of an assault by her daughter only a year ago. That case was moved into tribal courts. A man said his nephew had been murdered in Payne County a year ago. He told the judge he could deliver a fair and impartial verdict. Jurors occupations ranged from retired Halliburton, and postal employees, to single moms, and skilled trade workers and nurses.

During ADA Siess’ questioning about animals, jurors were asked if they had animals, how many, what kind and for how long. She took detailed notes of each response.

The process of voir dire (preliminary examination of jurors), opening statements took place in the afternoon. The trial resumes at 9 a.m. today, *Tuesday, April 23.

Pritchard faces 10 years to life in prison on the murder charge and each animal cruelty charge ranges up to 5 years and a $5,000 fine if convicted.