Vian Men's Preliminary Hearing Continued

The preliminary hearing for two Vian men, charged with second-degree murder, has been continued to 9 a.m. March 4 in Sequoyah County District Court in Sallisaw.

Michael Dean Buster, 23, and Kyle Reece Major, 31, are charged with second-degree murder in the death of Pliney Dane Crum, 31. Crum was found unconscious at his home north of Vian on Sept. 29 and died on Sept. 30 at a Tulsa hospital.

Both men pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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.

Both suspects are being held without bond in the Sequoyah County jail.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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