Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson has appointed a prosecutor in another part of the state to look over allegations revolving around the McAlester Watercooler Web site and an alleged assault upon its operator.
Edmondson’s office has assigned District 8 District Attorney Mark Gibson, whose district includes Kay and Noble counties, to look over five different police reports filed in connection with the issue.
Edmondson’s office assigned the new prosecutor to look over the allegations after District 18 First Assistant District Attorney Richard Hull sent letters to the attorney general.
Hull asked that District 18 District Attorney Jim Bob Miller’s office at the Pittsburg County Courthouse be disqualified from further involvement in the cases “to avoid the appearance of impropriety.”
Now, it will be up to Gibson or some of his assistant district attorneys to review the information in the cases.
Among the cases Gibson will be considering:
• A complaint by Miller against Harold King, operator of the Internet site known as the McAlester Watercooler, accusing King of committing criminal libel.
• A complaint by King contending he was assaulted by Wayne Stipe outside a McAlester grocery store.
Hull asked that Miller’s office be recused from the other cases involving King because of the case where Miller claims he is the victim of criminal libel in a case where King is listed as the suspect.
• Gibson is also to look at three more complaints, including one alleging criminal libel for “imputing unchastity,” another complaint for allegedly “knowingly making a false report of a crime” and yet another alleging “ offers forged or false instruments for record in any public office.”
• A complaint by Miller against Harold King, operator of the Internet site known as the McAlester Watercooler, accusing King of committing criminal libel.
• A complaint by King contending he was assaulted by Wayne Stipe outside a McAlester grocery store.
Hull asked that Miller’s office be recused from the other cases involving King because of the case where Miller claims he is the victim of criminal libel in a case where King is listed as the suspect.
• Gibson is also to look at three more complaints, including one alleging criminal libel for “imputing unchastity,” another complaint for allegedly “knowingly making a false report of a crime” and yet another alleging “ offers forged or false instruments for record in any public office.”
Edmondson’s letter to Gibson directs him to evaluate all of the material gathered by investigators and to decide whether any criminal prosecution should be taken.
If Gibson decides to file any charges in any of the complaints, then the charges would be filed in Pittsburg County District Court — but would be prosecuted by Gibson’s office.
In his letter to Gibson, Edmondson directs him to contact Miller’s office “for the relevant materials concerning this matter.”
Contact James Beaty at jbeaty@mcalesternews.com.
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