Defendant Pleads Guilty To Murder Of Leonard Man

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma -- A Hominy man pleaded guilty to second degree murder in the death of Leonard resident Edward Brown. Steven Thompson Keeling entered a guilty plea in federal court Wednesday.

U.S. Attorney Thomas Scott Woodward said the trial is taking place in federal court because the victim is an Indian, and his murder took place in Indian Country.

Keeling admitted he shot and killed Edward Brown, a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation with a semi-automatic assault weapon at Brown's residence on January 17, 2011.

3/9/2011 Related Story: Suspect In Deadly Leonard Shooting Indicted In Federal Court

Keeling entered the plea as part of an agreement with the government calling for 25 years imprisonment. Parole has been abolished in the federal system, Woodward noted. Sentencing will take place September 15.

Keeling is also charged in Tulsa County with shooting with intent to kill another alleged victim, Woodward says in a new release. That trial will take place in county court as the victim is a non-Indian.

"Thanks to the coordinated efforts of tribal, state, and federal law enforcement authorities, Ed Brown's murderer was brought to justice," Woodward said.