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    Marlow fifth-grade teacher Darlene Black uses one of the classrooms in the Fifth Grade Building to teach science.
August 17, 2012

Freeman pleads guilty to felony arson charge

Joshua Kellogg The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — A case that began in August 2011, finally came to a conclusion during the felony jury docket proceedings Aug. 8, when Monica Joy Freeman waived her right to a trial and entered a plea of guilty to arson charges.

Freeman and Jonathan Scott, acquaintances of Charles Alan Dyer, were both charged with arson.

Freeman was arrested Aug. 12, 2011, in connection with the arson of the mobile home at 5819 Hope Rd.

Scott had already entered a guilty plea to the arson charge, but Freeman wasn’t so quick to admit her role in the fire.

When she entered Judge Joe Enos’ courtroom this month though, she waived her rights to a trial.

She was sentenced to a 15-year suspended sentence.

At the time of the fire, Dyer had been renting the property from Don Spivey and was not residing on the property when the fire happened.

During Freeman’s preliminary, she had indicated to the court that she had been in a relationship with Dyer.

Dyer has never acknowledged that relationship.

She entered a plea of guilty twice as the first attempt did not meet the judges requirements or criteria and continued with the docket, setting up the case for jury trial, District 6 Assistant District Attorney Marvin Quinn said.

“Ms. Freeman elected to not exercise her constitutional right to a trial and entered a plea of guilty,” Quinn said.

After filing another request to have the case heard on the docket, Freeman again entered a guilty plea and the judge found the plea sufficient and imposed the sentence upon her.

Freeman was also sentenced to pay a $1,500 fine, associated court costs and restitution to Spivey for the damages done.

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections will actively supervise Freeman for a period of no less than two years unless specifically waived by the court upon request with supporting documentation by the DOC.

Scott admitted to guilt in February and was given a 10 year suspended sentence and $1,500 fine.

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