Attorney general seeks execution date for Bryson

Monday, April 3rd 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Attorney General Drew Edmondson asked the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals on Monday to set an execution date for Oklahoma death row inmate William Clifford Bryson Jr.

Edmondson made the request after the U.S. Supreme Court denied the final appeal for Bryson, 29, who was convicted of the beating
and burning death of 33-year-old Jim Plantz on Aug. 26, 1988.

Execution dates have been set for three other death row inmates, and a petition for a fourth inmate's execution is pending before the Court of Criminal Appeals.

Plantz, who worked the night shift in the printing plant at The Daily Oklahoman in Oklahoma City, had returned home when he was surprised by Bryson and another man, Clinton Eugene McKimble.

Bryson and McKimble were armed with baseball bats provided by Plantz' wife, Marilyn, who was also present.

Mrs. Plantz was romantically involved with Bryson and had spoken to him and others about murdering Plantz so she could receive the proceeds from an insurance policy worth more than $300,000, Edmondson said.

Bryson and McKimble severely beat Plantz, then loaded him in his pickup truck and drove him to northeast Oklahoma City, the attorney
general said. Plantz was placed in the cab of the truck and the truck was set on fire.

Mrs. Plantz and Bryson were each sentenced to death, and McKimble received a life sentence. Mrs. Plantz' case is pending before the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.