NORMAN — A Norman man, charged with first-degree murder in the death of an 80-year-old resident in southwest Norman, pleaded guilty and received a life prison sentence on Wednesday in Cleveland County District Court.
Brandon Ke Reed, 20, was convicted of killing Norman resident Clair Owen Pollard, 80, on Nov. 20, 2011, conjointly with Billy Battenfield, 59. A trial for Reed was not set before he made his guilty plea. District Judge Lori Walkley sentenced Reed.
Battenfield was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole in September. Prosecutors originally sought the death penalty for Battenfield because of his criminal history.
He was convicted of three murders in the late 1970s and has served time in New Mexico and Texas. Battenfield was living in Oklahoma after he was released from prison and was on parole out of Texas when Pollard was killed.
Reed waived his right to a preliminary hearing and jury trial in June, making a deal with prosecutors to testify against Battenfield. Battenfield’s preliminary hearing in July was stopped short when Reed admitted to “hallucinating” during testimony.
During cross examination, Reed told Battenfield’s attorney that his alter ego, “Max,” was an entity in which he is “constantly arguing.” He compared “Max” to a cartoon devil, which Reed said “never has anything good to say.”
Reed also admitted that “Max” was waiting for him at home the night he and Battenfield killed Pollard. Pollard, who had befriended Reed several years before the incident, died of multiple stab wounds in his southwest Norman home.
In August, Reed had a hearing to review his mental health and was found fit to stand trial.
Jessica Bruha
366-3540
jbruha@normantranscript.com
For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.
James Gandolfini Dies at Age 51
Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe
Raw: Heat, Spurs Back on Court Ahead of Game 7
Dolce and Gabbana Convicted of Tax Evasion
Paris, Prince Depositions Used in Jackson Trial
Coiffed Cattle Get Their Close-up
In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism
Police at Patriots Tight End's Home for 2nd Day
Fed Suggests Bond Purchases Could Slow
AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
