DUNCAN —
Prosecutors have subpoenaed public school records in the first-degree murder case of Miles Sterling Bench, who could face the death penalty if convicted of killing 16-year-old Braylee Rae Henry of Velma in June.
A Nov. 6 preliminary hearing is set for Bench, 21, and he is being represented by attorneys with the Capital Trial Division of the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System, according to court records. The division represents indigent defendants in cases where the state is seeking the death penalty.
A message seeking comment was left Friday with Gary L. Henry, an attorney with the division.
Bench is accused of murdering Henry at the Tee Pee Totem convenience store in Velma on the night of June 6.
Her body was found in a pasture near the rural home of Bench’s grandparents east of Velma, and Bench was arrested later that night, near Weatherford in Custer County.
Bench was a clerk at the convenience store, where Henry had gone to buy a soda.
Officers found a pool of blood in the backroom of the store and there were signs of blunt trauma to the head area, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Bench is being held without bond in the Stephens County Jail.
Sheriff Wayne McKinney said he is being segregated from the rest of the jail inmates.
Stephens County District Attorney Jason Hicks has declined to comment on the case, but court records show that his office has subpoenaed all school records pertaining to Bench — including grades, attendance and any disciplinary actions — from Davis Public Schools and Ada Public Schools.
The latter subpoena was served to the principal at Ada High School late last month, records show.
Records also indicate that prosecutors intend to present laboratory results from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation as evidence.
Hicks has declined to comment on a possible motive in the crime.
Henry’s mother, Renee Henson, told The Oklahoman that she did not know who Bench was or why he would harm her daughter.
KFDX-TV reported that Bench was arrested in Joliet, Ill., in 2008 for domestic battery of his stepfather, and in January 2011 he was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle.
He also had an AWOL charge from the Great Lake Naval Base at the time.
Court records in the case shed a little light on Bench’s background.
In an application seeking appointed counsel, Bench indicated that he was single and listed his address as a rural route location off of Highway 7 in Ratliff City and indicated that his grandmother lived there.
A man who came to the door at that residence on Thursday said he was Bench’s grandfather but said they did not want to comment.
On the application for counsel, Miles Bench listed his monthly take-home pay at about $800 a month, or about $200 a week.
The form asked to list people who depended on his support and how he contributed to their support.
“My grandparcare of the garden, animals and clean as well as any heavy lifting,” Bench wrote.
Bench wrote that his last employment was a few years ago with the U.S. Navy and it was for about a year, but he indicated that he did not know what his salary was and did not remember when he quit.
On the night following the crime, Bench was driving Henry’s car when Custer County Sheriff’s deputies pulled him over and arrested him. Henry’s car had the OnStar program, which allowed law enforcement to track it.
Bench was wearing bloody clothing and there was blood in the car, according to the probable cause affidavit.
His grandfather told police that Bench had come to the residence, gathered some clothes and left on foot. There were tire tracks at the scene where the body was found.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Miles Bench
Details of murder suspect come to light
- Local News
-
-
Burum presented with plaque for years on CTAC board
Members of the Chisholm Trail Arts Council board met Monday for its annual open meeting and were excited about all they accomplished during the last year. They also are looking forward to the new year.
After a few challenging fiscal years, CTAC treasurer Michele Johnson said this year they will not only break even but have a little left in the bank. -
Youth Services breaks ground for future shelter
Construction on the new Stephens County Youth Shelter is set to begin Monday.
But a few shovels have already hit the dirt. Youth Shelter board members, employees and advocates hosted a groundbreaking at the new shelter location.
“This has been a long, long trip,” Nancy Roop, board president, said. “And you all have been there with us. Finally, we’ve started.” -
Barely crossing paths
Two Duncan natives who moved to Moore are still amazed at how lucky they are to be alive after surviving the tornado that wiped out that city on May 20.
Both women, Debbie Gardner and Brandi Broaddus, shared their stories with The Banner, revealing just how much the tornado impacted their lives on May 20.
Debbie Gardner graduated from Duncan in 1975, and lives about a mile from the Moore city limits. She took refuge in the Moore Medical Center’s cafeteria at the last minute, after trying to get home. -
Tornado warning at DIA delays Duncan resident's flight home
Update: Carberry's plane arrived as scheduled back in Oklahoma at Will Rogers International Airport.
Two tornados were spotted and National Weather Service confirmed that one touched down at Denver International Airport around 2:18 p.m. today.
Duncan resident Jamie Carberry was going through the security checkpoints as she waited to board a plane home after a short vacation there. That’s when the alert was sounded and people began taking cover. -
Duncan resident takes tornado precautions at DIA
People at Denver International Airport are taking shelter, and there are unconfirmed reports that a tornado touched down at Denver International Airport.
-
Hastings to close Duncan store
Corporate officials with Hasting’s Entertainment informed its employees early today at the Duncan Hastings Entertainment store that their store will be closing Aug. 9.
This news came during a mandatory store meeting, where two corporate representatives, district and store managers, were present to make the announcement, confirmed a store employee, who spoke with The Banner after the meeting. -
Former Duncan city manager leaves legacy, inspires current leaders
There are many who love their city, but one of the first things people would learn about Doug Johnson when they met him was his love and dedication to Duncan.
Johnson, a former councilman and city manager for the City of Duncan, passed away Thursday at the age of 82. A lifelong resident of Duncan, he only spent time away from the city during his years attending Baylor University on a basketball scholarship. -
Digital images land man behind bars on child porn charges
Samuel Wesley Brackeen, 34, of Duncan, was charged in Stephens County District Court with two felony counts related to pornography.
Brackeen was originally arrested on both counts.
According to the affidavit filed in district court on June 14, count 1 was possession of child pornography, AFCF, from Jan. 23 to Jan. 30; and count 2 was manufacturing child pornography, on or about Jan. 3, at a Comanche residence. -
Court: Ariz. citizenship proof law illegal
The Supreme Court ruled Monday that states cannot on their own require would-be voters to prove they are U.S. citizens before using a federal registration system designed to make signing up easier.
-
Events this week include Dinos at Duncan Public LIbrary today, ends with Founder's Day fun Saturday
Events at the Duncan Public Library this week include Dinosaurs Live from 2-4 p.m. Monday for ages 7-11 Juggle Whatever from 10-11 a.m. or 2-3 p.m. Wednesday for ages 7-11, 11-11:45 a.m Thursday for ages 3-6 and 2-3 p.m. Thursday for ages 10-17.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Burum presented with plaque for years on CTAC board
Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe
Raw: Heat, Spurs Back on Court Ahead of Game 7
Dolce and Gabbana Convicted of Tax Evasion
Paris, Prince Depositions Used in Jackson Trial
Coiffed Cattle Get Their Close-up
In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism
Police at Patriots Tight End's Home for 2nd Day
Fed Suggests Bond Purchases Could Slow
AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
Aug. Trial Set for Ohio Man in Triple Kidnapping
Car Crash in NYC's East Village Injures 8
