Gray Fails to Appear for Court Case, Warrant Issued

Miscommunication may have led to complications in the case of Angela Gray, 39, of Muldrow. Gray was due in district court at the Sequoyah County Courthouse Thursday, when a trial date was to be set for her on various charges. Neither Gray nor her attorney, Gary Buckles of Poteau, appeared for the hearing. Consequently a bench warrant was issued for Gray's arrest and her $15,000 bond was ordered forfeited. But a spokesman for Buckles' office said he was in Oklahoma City on Thursday, and was told that the assistant district attorney handling Gray's case was on maternity leave and the hearing postponed. A spokesman for the district attorney's office said they were checking on phone records to see if miscommunication had taken place.

Kyle Lewis Brannon, 19, of Muldrow is charged with accessory after the fact in the same case, and did appear for his hearing in district court Thursday. His trial date was set for April 2. A motions hearing was set for Jan. 29. Brannon pleaded innocent to the charge.

Gray is charged in district court with failure to stop-accident resulting in non fatal injury, contributing to the delinquency of minors, and selling or furnishing alcoholic beverage to a minor. Gray pleaded innocent to the charges. The charges are related to an ATV accident on Sept. 1, 2013, when Christian Mayberry, now 17, of Muldrow was found to have suffered a severe brain injury in the crash. Mayberry is now in a rehabilitation facility in Florida trying to overcome the paralysis which affected his left side. His family reports he is doing well. Gray is alleged to have been driving the ATV when the crash occurred on a rural road south of Muldrow. She and Brannon, 18 at the time, are alleged to have left Mayberry lying injured and unconscious while Brannon and another teen cleaned up the crash scene by removing beer cans and a cooler. According to the investigator's report filed with the charges, Gray fled the scene and did not report the injured Mayberry. Consequently it is believed Mayberry lay for hours before medical help was sought for him. The charges allege Gray was driving the ATV and was drunk at the time of the crash. By Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Cards for Christian, Help Send Some Love and Christmas Cheer

Christian Mayberry, the 17-year-old teen from Muldrow who was severely injured in an ATV crash on Sept. 1, 2013, continues to improve at the Florida Institute of Neurologic Rehabilitation in Wauchala, Florida. His parents, Kim and John, stay in Florida with their son, and are looking forward to a better Christmas this year than last. Kim explained, "Christian lost Christmas last year. He essentially was in a coma."

Christian's story, including his struggle to regain his health and mobility, has been followed by people all over the country and especially here in Sequoyah County. The Mix 105.1 would like to give everyone an opportunity to send some Christmas cheer to Christian and let him feel the love from his hometown area. We are asking our listeners and readers to spend a little time and only a few cents to send a card to Christian.

Christmas cards, or any encouraging card or letter, may be addressed to Christian Mayberry, c/o FINR, P.O. Box 1348, Wauchula, Florida 33873 or dropped off at our studio location at 333 S. Kerr Blvd in Sallisaw and we will send your card on to Christian, postage paid by us.

Christian loves Christmas, his mother said. "He didn't know Christmas from any other day of the week last year," she said. "This is going to be a special Christmas for us."

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Christian Mayberry Takes First Steps

The family of Christian Mayberry had both good and bad news last week. Christian's mother, Kim, said Christian was able to stand and take two steps last week, which is a long way from the paralysis he suffered on his left side after an ATV wreck on Sept. 1, 2013 left him with severe brain trauma. But, Kim also related, her now 17-year-old son was seen by an optometrist last week and the doctor determined Christian's eyesight was severely damaged by the crash. Kim said, "We knew his eye sight was really bad. He can't see anything unless it's really close. He can't see colors. The diagnosis confirmed that." Christian will see a neuro-doctor in the future but Kim said doctors offer little hope for improvement to his eye sight. Christian's vision is so bad that sometimes he is unable to recognize his parents. "No matter what, we are believing for total restoration with his sight. After all, look at all the miracles we have had," stated Kim.

Christian's condition continues to improve in other areas. Kim said Christian was able to travel a long way in his wheel chair, by using his feet to pull the chair along in a left-right motion that simulates walking. Kim also said that a tube in Christian's stomach, to feed him foods and liquids and for his medications, is very close to being removed. "Christian has been eating since July," Kim said, but his tube remained for the medications. "It is very exciting that they are about to take that out. It's uncomfortable for him," she explained.

Another development has added to Christian's outlook on life. "His grandmother arrives in four days. He cannot wait until she gets here. He calls her Grandnanny Poo." Grandnanny is JoNell Van Fleet from Muldrow. Kim says she may spend the winter with Christian and his parents, Kim and John in Wauchala, Florida, where Christian is undergoing rehabilitation at the Florida Institute of Neurologic Rehabilitation or FINR.

Kim keeps a running diary of Christian's rehabilitation posted on Facebook, at Pray for Mayberry. Visitors may learn of Christian's progress by clicking on videos and reading status updates. A fundraiser is also underway for the Mayberry family. Donations can be made by clicking on http://gofundme.com/ars8tw.

And, Christian is also looking forward to Christmas. According to Kim, last year at this time, Christian essentially remained in a coma. "He lost Christmas last year," Kim said. Tomorrow, The Mix 105.1 will let you know how to bring back Christmas for Christian. Be sure to look for information on "Cards for Christian" which we will tell you more about tomorrow.

By Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Mullin Appointed to Energy, Commerce Committee

U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) has been selected to serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee during the 114th Congress. The Energy and Commerce Committee is the oldest standing legislative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. The committee has jurisdiction over issues important to Oklahoma and the Second Congressional District. The committee deals with issues such as health care, energy, telecommunications, and commerce. It oversees numerous federal entities, such as the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Energy, the Department of Commerce, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Communications Commission.

"It's an honor to be selected to serve on such an influential committee, especially during this critical time in our country's history," said Mullin. "I'm looking forward to providing an Oklahoma business owner perspective as the committee works to address issues like regulatory reform and continuing health care problems. Additionally, I will be able to make sure that the challenges we face with rural health care is part of the discussion.

"With Oklahoma's top two employers being the energy and health sectors, our state has a vested interest in any actions affecting those businesses. So when burdensome regulations come down from Washington, we truly feel the impact. As a business owner, I have had to comply with these regulations and I know how they can impede business growth. I'm excited to bring that perspective to the committee as we fight to reform our regulatory system."

Oklahoma is home to four energy companies on the Fortune 500 list. The state's largest employer is the energy sector, with one in five jobs supported by oil and gas. Second to the energy industry in employment of Oklahomans is the health care industry.

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Rare Spotted Skunk Captured, Released

Wildlife biologist Curt Allen recently released a rare spotted skunk in the Cookson Hills Wildlife Management Area. The skunk was trapped near Sallisaw by Debbie Freeman.

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Sallisaw Man Pleads Guilty in U.S. Court

Christopher Jacob Froehlich, 28, of Sallisaw pleaded guilty in U.S. Court in Muskogee to three counts of wire fraud, two counts of aggravated identity theft and one count of uttering a counterfeit security with intent to deceive. The charges arose from an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspector and the U.S. Secret Service. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's office in Muskogee said the indictment, filed on Sept. 10, alleged that from Dec. 25, 2013, to March 24, 2014, Froehlich devised a scheme to defraud and obtain money and property by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises. The defendant used his computer to create fraudulent accounts at various financial institutions. These fraudulent accounts used the identities of other persons without their permission. The defendant also created and uttered counterfeit checks. 

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kimberly E. West accepted the defendant's guilty pleas, and ordered the completion of a pre-sentence report. Sentencing will be scheduled upon its completion. The defendant remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals pending sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Wilson represented the United States in the case. By Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Cripps Reappointed as Muscogee (Creek) Nation Judge

Sallisaw attorney John T. Cripps was reappointed this week to a four-year-term as a Muscogee (Creek) Nation district judge. Chief George Tiger submitted the reappointment, which was approved by a unanimous vote of the tribal council Saturday at tribal headquarters in Okmulgee. A member of the Cherokee Nation, Cripps has served as a judge for the Cherokee Nation since 1999 and as a district court judge for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation since 2012. Cripps serves as a family court judge in the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Family Division. With a law practice in Sallisaw since 1975, Cripps also serves on the board of Sequoyah Memorial Hospital in Sallisaw since 1977 and served as chairman of the board from 1990 to the present. He is also a municipal judge for many area towns and cities, including Sallisaw which he has served from 2011 to the present. He received his juris doctorate from the University of Oklahoma in 1975. 

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