Tulsa Family Wants Loved One's Killer Brought To Justice

Lori Fullbright, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- A Tulsa family says it's time for those who know the truth about a seven-month old murder to come forward.

Police say Kenny Maywald was shot and killed last November over something as stupid as a dirty look. Police say Kenny was riding in a car with a friend when a person threw a cup at their car.

His family says they pulled over to confront the thrower who said they did it because Kenny and his friend had stared at them meanly. No one thought a short time later, Kenny, a disabled man with no hands, would be dead.

11/29/2010 Related Story: Person Of Interest Sought In North Tulsa Homicide

Kenny's family says he loved to tell funny stories, make cherry chip brownies, was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved his kids.

"He was a big part of their lives. Went to every baseball game, softball game, volleyball, basketball, tea parties, did everything with them," Lena Tate, Kenny's ex-wife, said.

They admit he wasn't perfect and had some run-ins with the law, but say he certainly didn't deserve to be murdered, especially since he was defenseless.

In March of 2010, Kenny was loading shotgun shells when an explosion took all of his right hand and most of his left. Still recovering eight months later, he was murdered.

"I'm furious," Lena said. "He went through the explosion, lost both hands, could barely walk and that they shot him down in cold blood is very unbelievable."

On November 28, 2010, the family says the person who threw the cup at the car threatened to shoot Kenny and his friend and not long afterward, someone did drive by and shoot up the car.

Right after that, Kenny was killed. Police suspect he was going to confront the shooters, but his family says he was walking the dog.

"We would like to see the people who are responsible for his murder put behind bars," Lena said.

Police arrested Wilburt Moore, an ex-con. He was charged, but the case was later dismissed for further investigation.

Officers believe more than one person knows what happened to Kenny that day and they need those people to do the right thing.

"I think it would bring us peace. I don't think there's ever closure, but, I think it would bring us some sense of peace," Lena said.

If people won't come forward because it's the right thing to do, police hope they will do it for the reward of more than $1,000.

Anyone can call Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS. A state law keeps anyone from finding out who you are.