Konawa man charged in killing

SHAWNEE (AP) — Pottawatomie County prosecutors have charged a Konawa man for the fatal shooting of his girlfriend’s former boyfriend.

Thirty-two-year-old Richard Lee Brazell was charged Thursday with first-degree murder in the July 15 death of William Jeffery Rutherford, 34, Konawa.

Rutherford, was found on County Road EW 139 after Pottawatomie Central Dispatch received a 911 call of a shooting just west of Sacred Heart Church, said J.T. Palmer, captain of investigations at Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Department.

Another 911 call was taken from a house in Seminole County, Palmer said. The call led deputies to the Brazell. Palmer said Brazell was dating Rutherford’s ex-girlfriend, who was not named.

Palmer said Rutherford and Brazell met driving on the highway and Rutherford reportedly began flashing his headlights at Brazell. Brazell turned off the main road onto the county road, Palmer said.

Rutherford and his ex-girlfriend had a verbal confrontation. Palmer said Rutherford approached the suspect’s vehicle where Brazell allegedly shot him in the chest.

Rutherford was pronounced dead on arrival at Valley View Regional Hospital.