Oklahoma fugitive arrested in Texas

Monday, February 14th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKMULGEE, Okla. (AP) -- An Oklahoma fugitive arrested as he left a Canton, Texas, bingo parlor is expected to be extradited back to the state where he is wanted in connection with a 1998 Broken Arrow slaying.

Police and U.S. marshals arrested Willie Edward "Bubby" Hayes, 51, of Okmulgee late Saturday. He is being held in Tyler, Texas. Hayes was arrested on a federal warrant for failing to appear in Oklahoma court on drug charges. He also is wanted by Broken Arrow police.

Hayes is accused of killing Rex Wayne Harper, 31, on Jan. 14,1998. Harper was shot in the chest as he sat in his dump truck in a mall parking lot. Two-time world champion steer wrestler Claude Stanley Williamson, 51, of Okmulgee is awaiting trial in Harper's slaying. He is accused of hiring Harper's killer. Prosecutor Jerry Truster alleged at Williamson's preliminary hearing that Williamson wanted Harper killed because Williamson couldn't let go of a former girlfriend who had married Harper. Hayes was charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder and solicitation to commit murder.