Charges Filed In Deadly Tulsa Home Invasion

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma – Charges were filed Wednesday against two men accused of shooting and killing a Tulsa man during a home invasion.

Jerry VanEllen died Saturday morning, December 18, 2010, trying to defend his family after two intruders broke into his home in the 5800 block of South 87th East Avenue.

Tyler Hamlett, 17, and Michael Morris Taylor, 19, are each charged with one count of felony murder, one count of first degree burglary, and one count of robbery with a dangerous weapon.

Hamlett was also charged with one count of animal cruelty. He's accused of slitting the throat of the family dog.

Police said Hamlett and Taylor had planned to break into a drug dealer's house, but got the wrong address.

VanEllen was an Oklahoma Army National Guardsman.  A fund has been set up to help his family. He is survived by his wife and two children.

12/22/2010 Related Story: Fund Set Up For Family Of Tulsa Father Killed In Home Invasion