Oklahoma City defense attorney faces November contempt hearing

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- An attorney defending a man accused of killing his stepdaughter faces a November 4th contempt hearing.<br/><br/>David Autry's contempt hearing stems from Benjamin Harry Crider

Friday, October 22nd 2004, 6:13 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- An attorney defending a man accused of killing his stepdaughter faces a November 4th contempt hearing.

David Autry's contempt hearing stems from Benjamin Harry Crider II's murder trial, which ended in a mistrial after Oklahoma County District Judge Tammy Bass-Jones said Autry violated a court order by discussing evidence that had been barred from court.

In a closed-door meeting on Thursday, Bass-Jones denied Autry's motion that she recuse herself and set the hearing date.

Crider was on trial in connection with the June 13, 1996, disappearance of Crystal Dittmeyer, then 12.

Prosecutors allege Crider killed the child and hid her body, which hasn't been found.

Autry said he had no comment as he arrived at court Thursday. His attorney, Garvin Isaacs, didn't return a telephone message left at his office.

A representative of Oklahoma County District Attorney Wes Lane, who is prosecuting Crider, said attorneys have been told by the judge not to talk about the case.

If found guilty by the judge of direct contempt of court, Autry could face fines, sanctions or jail time.