Why Was Murder Suspect Released From Jail?

By Lori Fullbright, The News On 6

BROKEN ARROW, OK -- A viewer recently emailed us about a Broken Arrow murder case.

The viewer wrote, "Why is the killer hanging out in his garage, playing pool? Is that not what he was doing when he chose to shoot his neighbor?"

She was talking about Joshua Vaughn, a man charged with first-degree murder, accused of shooting his neighbor six times.

Records show it was just after midnight Feb. 10. Officers say Vaughn told them he'd had an ongoing dispute with neighbor Tommy Lovell for several months.

He says Lovell came over, confronted him, threatened him and even after Vaughn told him to leave several times, Lovell refused.

Vaughn was accused of shooting Lovell six times with the .40-caliber Sig Sauer he had tucked into the front of his pants. He was charged with first-degree murder.

About a month later, Judge Mille Otey set bond for Vaughn at $125,000. Prosecutors objected and wanted no bond.

Vaughn had to agree to surrender his concealed-carry permit and agree not to have any weapons at his house or in his vehicles.

His attorney, Allen Smallwood, said Vaughn warned Lovell at least two dozen times to leave, and toxicology reports will show whether Lovell was taking anything.

Smallwood says Vaughn has no record, no history, has a wife and two kids and owns his home, so he's not a flight risk. He also argues the case of one of self-defense.

A note from Vaughn's doctor in the court file says Vaughn has been stressed since the shooting, to the point that he's anxious, depressed and can't sleep.

His next court date is in two weeks.