DA Files 1st Degree Murder Charges In Tulsa Quadruple Murders

The Tulsa County District Attorney's Office has filed first degree murder charges against two men accused of shooting four women to death at an apartment in Fairmont Terrace on January 7, 2013.

Cedric Poore, 39, and his brother, James Poore, 32, are each charged with four counts of first degree murder and two counts of robbery with a firearm. Cedric Poore also was charged with possession of a firearm after former conviction of a felony. James Poore was also charged with one count of shooting with intent to kill.

Tulsa Police say Rebeika Powell, 23; Kayetie Powell-Melchor, 23; Misty Nunley, 33; and Julie Jackson, 55, were shot to death during a robbery. The women's bodies were found in a bedroom at the apartment near 61st Street and Peoria Avenue.

2/19/2013 Related Story: Arraignment Set Friday For Tulsa Brothers Charged In Quadruple Slayings

Records show Cedric Poore was sentenced to 35 years in prison for tying up two people and robbing a Tulsa club, but he was paroled in 2011, after serving 16 years.

Then, the Department of Corrections issued a warrant for him for violating the terms of his parole, and now, less than two years out of prison, he's charged with tying up and murdering four women while robbing them.

His younger brother, James, is also an ex-con. James was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2001, after admitting he robbed four Tulsa convenience stores. He was released 10 years later, in 2011.

Now, both brothers are charged with murdering twin sisters Rebeika Powell, Kayetie Powell Melchor, Misty Nunley and Julie Jackson.

"Filing charges is the first step in our effort to obtain justice for each of these victims, their families and the community," First Assistant District Attorney Doug Drummond said. "As in any case, both men are presumed innocent until proven guilty."

The women were found tied up and shot, in a bedroom at the twins' Fairmont Terrace apartment on January 7.

A witness told police the brothers talked about robbing the girls, and then came back afterward with drugs, money and jewelry.

Just two days before the murders, James Poore is also charged with robbing a woman of her purse and shooting her. She survived.

"In cases such as these, we review the facts and evidence to determine whether to seek the death penalty as an option of punishment," Doug Drummond said. "At some point after the preliminary hearing, we will conduct a formal review and make a determination."

There are eight aggravating factors in death penalty cases and prosecutors must decide if one of more of them applies:

• Committed the murder for money
• Murder was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel
• Murder was committed by someone serving time for a felony
• Victim was a police officer
• Defendant was previously convicted of a felony involving violence
• Defendant created a great rick of death to more than one
• Murder was committed for purpose of avoiding arrest
• Person is a continuing threat to society

According to accounts of the murders, the last four factors could possibly apply to this case.

If they are found guilty, there are only three possible punishments for the murder charges: life in prison, life without parole or the death penalty.

The maximum they could get for the robberies would be life.

Both are being held without bond in the Tulsa County jail.