Two Suspects Arrested for Murder of Elderly Claremore Woman

Wednesday, January 5th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Two suspects are in custody for the murder of an elderly Claremore woman. Police and state investigators gathered the final pieces of evidence they needed to charge the men with first degree murder and burglary.

19-year-old Dallas Hastings led police to a crucial piece of evidence in the brutal murder of an 88-year-old woman. Shackled and handcuffed, he took investigators to a pasture, where Claremore police chief Mickey Perry says Hastings and 18-year-old David Clem dumped a hammer, the weapon allegedly used to bludgeon Erie Raybon to death.
â€œThere were multiple blows to her head with a heavy blunt instrument,â€ said Claremore police lieutenant John Cummings. â€œThe blows were given to a lady that was probably pretty defenseless anyway."

In fact, police say there was no sign Raybon struggled with her attackers at all. The brutality of the crime is only part of the reason Raybon's neighbors are so shocked. â€œShe's seemed like a sweet person,â€ said neighbor Penny Cornell. â€œWe've got a few elderly people in the area and their families are always in and out."

What could possibly be the motivation for so heinous a crime against such a defenseless victim? Defendant Dallas Hastings gave the News on Six the same answer he reportedly gave police: â€œI was thinking I was needing money,â€ Hastings said. â€œAnd it was the wrong way to get it."

In the suspects' arraignment, police testified Hastings and Clem said they needed money to pay the rent. The judge ordered both defendants held without bond. That was little consolation for Raybon's grieving family as they left the courtroom. Or for Hastings' roommate, who isn't sure for whom to grieve more. â€œI don't know which family to cry for more, his family or hers," said roommate Scott Ellis.

Police say Hastings delivered the blows that killed Raybon. Prosecutors plan to charge both men with first degree murder and burglary. The district attorney has not yet decided whether to ask for the death penalty.