A jury trial is scheduled for accused murderer Mitchell Jay Griffith. The 60 year old man who is charged with murder in the first degree, deliberate intent, carrying a firearm while under the influence of alcohol and a misdemeanor of public intoxication will be tried in Kay County District Court.
A felony count of intimidation of a witness has been dismissed.
Griffith is charged in the shooting death of 35-year-old Vinson Alan Kendrick in Sept of 2014. Kendrick was found shot in the 800 block of North Second Street.
Ponca City police officer Jason Ivers reports finding Griffith and Kendrick on the ground. He reports Griffith had extensive facial trauma and appeared to be unconscious and Kendrick was bleeding heavily from several wounds on his chest and abdominal area.
Witness Lisa Smith told officers she was with Griffith and Kendrick drinking when the two men got into an argument. She told officers the men stopped fighting and she gathered her purse to leave when she heard gun shots. She told police she left and never looked back because she was scared.
The men were transported to the hospital where Kendrick died.
The medical examiner’s office reported Kendrick had three gunshot wounds to the left side of his body.
