Oklahoma Court Of Criminal Appeals Overturns Man's Murder Conviction, Life Sentence

The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals has overturned the life sentence and conviction of a man responsible for several robberies and a murder in the Tulsa area in 2016.

The court ruled that the state did not have the authority to charge Emmitt Sam for the crimes because of his tribal status.

Investigators say Sam and Nathan Simmons went on a carjacking spree that included Sam shooting and killing Johnathan Stephens.

Simmons is currently serving a 55-year sentence.

Federal prosecutors have not yet filed new charges against Sam.