Witnesses conclude Weleetka testimony Fri September 5, 2008
http://newsok.com/witnesses-conclude-weleetka-testimony/article/3293276By Nolan Clay and Johnny Johnson
Staff Writers
A woman and her boyfriend were arrested Thursday in Okmulgee and taken in clanging shackles to Oklahoma City to testify to what they knew about the fatal shooting of two girls.
Windy Espinosa, 34, and Larry Peyton Smith, 34, testified Thursday before a state grand jury that is helping state agents look into the tragic shootings near Weleetka.
The two were arrested after they failed to show up in court Wednesday. The grand jury's judge allowed them to go home after they finished testifying Thursday.
Agents with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation turned to the multicounty grand jury for help cracking the frustrating case.
Two friends, Taylor Placker, 13, and Skyla Whitaker, 11, were shot to death June 8 along a remote Okfuskee County road, not far from where Taylor lived. The case has attracted national attention.
The two new witnesses said little in front of news reporters as Okmulgee County sheriff's deputies moved them to and from the grand jury room Thursday. The two live together in Okmulgee.
During a closed-door meeting before the judge, Espinosa could be overheard laughing briefly and saying she hopes she never sees lawmen at her door again.
She wore a T-shirt with the words "Free Spirit” on the front.
Asked by a reporter if she was glad her testimony was over, she said, "I doubt it's totally over over.”
Three testified earlier
Grand jurors heard Wednesday from three men who have come under suspicion in the case — Dustyn Dailey, 18, Mike Gaddy, 19, and Toney Kelough, 30.
Kelough returned Thursday morning and testified for about another hour. He told The Oklahoman Wednesday he has an alibi — that he was with a girlfriend at the time of the fatal shooting.
"I just wish they would catch whoever done it so they would leave me alone,” Kelough said Wednesday.
Kelough declined comment after testifying Thursday. "I'm done, man,” he said as he rushed out of the courthouse.
Also testifying Wednesday was OSBI agent Ben Rosser.
What the witnesses said is not known.
Grand jurors hear testimony in secret sessions.
The current multicounty grand jury is not expected to hear more witnesses and is not expected to issue any indictments over the deaths.
Another multicounty grand jury is likely to be formed in a few months and could help the OSBI if the case is not solved before then.
Assistants for Attorney General Drew Edmondson guide the grand jury investigations