OHP trooper's widow says life on hold until trial happens

<br>SALLISAW, Okla. (AP) _ It has been more than two years since Oklahoma state trooper Rocky Eales was killed and his widow says she's frustrated that a suspect in the shooting has not gone to trial.

Monday, March 25th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SALLISAW, Okla. (AP) _ It has been more than two years since Oklahoma state trooper Rocky Eales was killed and his widow says she's frustrated that a suspect in the shooting has not gone to trial.

``Justice needs to be done,'' said Kelli Eales. ``The longer it takes to get him to trial, the longer it will take to put him to death.''

Rocky Eales was killed in a September 1999 raid on the home of Kenneth Eugene Barrett. Eales, 49, and his partner were shot as they drove up to the residence.

Barrett is charged with murder and shooting with intent to kill.

Barrett's attorney, John Echols of Tulsa, says his client is also frustrated with delays. Echols, however, said he can't continue until he gets a copy of the highway patrol's internal affairs report about the shooting.

``It's important to know what exactly did happen and in what order. I think we got a homogenized version at the preliminary hearing,'' Echols said.

The report has been provided to District Judge John Garrett who will decide whether the defense is entitled to the document.

District Attorney Dianne Barker Harrold said she understands Eales' frustrations, but said she prefers to resolve the issues before the trial and reduce the risk of having a possible conviction overturned.

``We only want to try this once,'' she said.

Echols and Harrold said fall is the earliest the trial will start.

The trial is also complicated by the fact that Sequoyah County has only two jury sessions per year, one in the fall and one in the spring.

``I don't really know who to blame,'' said Eales, a teacher in Indianola. ``I don't know if there is someone to blame.''

Other developments also make the wait harder. Her brother was shot to death in his Savanna home in December. Also a Sequoyah County jailer was fired for allowing Barrett, whose bail has been denied, to engage in sex with a female prisoner.

Eales said Barrett's ``life is still going on.''

``My life, to a certain extent, isn't.'' she said.