Suspects in Crum Death Face Second-degree Murder

Two Vian men have been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Pliney Dane Crum, 31 (shown above). Crum was found unconscious at his home north of Vian on Sept. 29 and died on Sept. 30 at a Tulsa hospital.

The two suspects charged in his death are Michael Dean Buster, 23, and Kyle Reece Major, 31. Both were charged Oct. 13 in Sequoyah County District Court, Sallisaw, with murder in the second degree. Both are being held in the Sequoyah County Jail in Sallisaw without bond. Major filed a motion this week for a bond reduction.

Buster pleaded not guilty to the charge at his arraignment on Oct. 14. His next court appearance will be on Nov. 18 on Associate District Judge Kyle Waters’ felony disposition docket.

Major entered a not guilty plea at his arraignment on Oct. 21 and his next court appearance will be on Dec. 16 on Judge Waters’ felony disposition docket.

According to the investigators’ reports filed with the charges, Buster was found at the scene, and admitted to killing Crum in a fist fight. He said the two had been drinking and Crum was calling him a name. Buster told investigators he blacked out and when he came to he was sitting on top of Crum hitting him in the head. He said he then went across the road to McQuick’s convenience store and asked that 911 be called because “he just killed someone.” That statement led witnesses to the unconscious Crum and the call for help and law enforcement. Buster was arrested at the scene.

Major was arrested Oct. 1. According to the investigators’ reports, Major at first denied being at the scene, although he did admit he took Buster to Crum’s home, but said he left before the fight. But surveillance tape from McQuick’s store, obtained by the investigators, shows Major leaving Crum’s home just 10 minutes before Buster runs across the street to ask for help. Major eventually told investigators he was at the residence during the fight and related how the fight occurred. He said he told Buster to run for help and that he tried to revive Crum. According to the report, Major said Buster was “freaking out,” and he was afraid Buster would attack him, so he left.

The murder in the second degree charges allege the suspects did cause the death of the victim but that “. . .this conduct was not done with the intention of taking the life of Dane Crum.” It is also noted the crime is punishable by imprisonment for 10 years to life.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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