Two ordered to stand trial

CLAREMORE, Okla. (AP) -- Two men must stand trial for the Jan. 3 beating death of an elderly Claremore woman during a burglary at her home. <br><br>Rogers County Special Judge Joe Smith on Monday ordered

Tuesday, April 4th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

CLAREMORE, Okla. (AP) -- Two men must stand trial for the Jan. 3 beating death of an elderly Claremore woman during a burglary at her home.

Rogers County Special Judge Joe Smith on Monday ordered Dallas Hastings, 19, and David Clem, 18, to stand trial for first-degree murder. They are accused of the death of Erie Anderson Raybon, 88. She died from six blows to the head with a claw hammer.

Smith overruled claims by attorneys for Hastings and Clem that the state didn't meet its burden of proof that the two acted in concert and with malice aforethought in killing Raybon.

Police said the two netted a total of $13.75, an old television set and kitchenware in the burglary.

Agent Patrick Kennedy of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation testified in Monday's preliminary hearing that Clem told him Hastings said he selected the house where Raybon lived because he knew an old woman lived there.

According to testimony, Clem stayed outside while Hastings broke in and was surprised by a shadowy figure and struck Raybon. Hastings told police he didn't know if it was a person and didn't want to look.

Clem told police he helped carry out items from the house, but never went inside.

Clem and Hastings are to reappear in court April 20.