TULSA County grand jury hears testimony in Jenks' girl death

Wednesday, June 20th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The mother who found her 10-year-old daughter dead in a bathtub testified before a grand jury Wednesday. Authorities say Rachel Clayton drowned, but her grandmother always questioned the circumstances. That's why she gathered enough petition signatures necessary for a grand jury to investigate.

KOTV's Tami Marler spent the day at the Tulsa County Courthouse and says Rachel Clayton would have been 13 years old Wednesday. But nearly three years ago, her mother, Cheryl Doss, says she found her dead in the bathtub. Wednesday, the grand jury heard her story.

A 12-member panel heard testimony from an Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation agent before calling Cheryl Doss to the stand. Nobody knows what was discussed inside the courtroom, only that jurors had the freedom to ask questions about the circumstances surrounding Rachel Clayton's death. Outside, family members told KOTV since Rachel's death, a cloud of suspicion has loomed over Cheryl Doss and they're ready for the grand jury to come to a decision. Rachel's grandmother, Madge Colbert, says all she wants is the truth about what happened. "When I think about her, it's like somebody took a knife and put it in my belly and just twisted and twisted until it cannot go anymore. And it is hard very hard. I know nothing will bring her back, but just to know - so I can go on."

The grand jury is reportedly taking its time considering the testimony. All of the witnesses have appeared voluntarily, including Cheryl Doss.