Rancher charged with murder says he feared for his life

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) -- A Choctaw County rancher says he feared for his life when he shot and killed his neighbor last year after along time dispute. <br><br>Fred Lloyd Holder testified Wednesday that

Thursday, March 9th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) -- A Choctaw County rancher says he feared for his life when he shot and killed his neighbor last year after along time dispute.

Fred Lloyd Holder testified Wednesday that he had been hunting on his property near Soper on Sept. 23 when he came upon David Pickens by chance. The men had been arguing for more than a year over disagreements about a fence line and Holder's cattle.

Holder testified he fired his shotgun at Pickens only after seeing Pickens reach for his gun in a holster.

"I thought that he would kill me," Holder said.

Both sides rested their cases Wednesday. The federal jury was scheduled to begin deliberations today.

Holder originally was charged in Choctaw County District Court, but he was indicted for first-degree murder by a federal grand jury this year because a federal officer witnessed the shooting.

The shooting occurred on land being leased to the federal government for wetlands restoration.