Defendant Enters No Contest Plea In Slaying

Monday, March 19th 2007, 10:34 am

By: News On 6

A man accused of the first degree murder of a Tulsa bar owner has taken a plea deal. On Monday Terry Badgwell pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of first-degree manslaughter in the death of Shawn Howard. Badgwell also pleaded no contest to an assault and battery with a dangerous weapon complaint for an attack on Josh Martin.

Assistant District Attorney Ray Hasselman recommended Badgwell serve a 10-year prison sentence. Sentencing is scheduled for April 23rd.

Badgwell was arrested in June 2004 following a confrontation with Howard and Martin outside a Tulsa bar, said officials. During the argument Howard allegedly hit Badgwell while wearing brass knuckles. Badgwellâ€™s attorney says after his client was punched he grabbed a metal pipe to defend himself. Howard was hit in the head by the pipe, officials said; he later died of his injuries.

Tulsa County District Attorney Tim Harris initially decided Badgwell was acting in self-defense and no charges were filed, but Howard's family circulated a petition calling for a grand jury to investigate, which led to the criminal charges.

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