By Angel Ford, Contributing Writer
TULSA — In a packed Tulsa courtroom full of the victim’s family and friends, Chris Morland appeared before a judge Thursday to face a murder charge as prosecutors presented evidence in the death of Cassidy Ritchie, whose badly beaten body was found in the trunk of a vehicle near Catoosa earlier this year.
Tulsa County District Judge Rodney Sparkman declined a motion from Morland’s attorney to reduce the first-degree murder charge to manslaughter, binding Morland over for arraignment next month on the original charge.
Many who sat in the courtroom benches wore dark purple T-shirts that pictured the smiling face of Ritchie, who was reported missing and later found deceased, buried under a large pile of clothes, by Tulsa police officers.
Family members in attendance during the emotional hearing held each other tightly, stifling sobs as they listened to the full picture of Ritchie’s final moments.
Ritchie was first reported missing on Jan. 25, just a few weeks after she and Morland were married. The report was filed by her parents after they hadn’t heard from her for 4 days.
Three witnesses were called to the stand to testify about Morland’s behavior and relationship with Ritchie.
One witness testified about Morland’s “controlling” behaviors, saying he would, “follow her everywhere she went. To the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom,” she said.
The witness continued her testimony by depicting the couple’s consistent arguments in her presence. Adam Haselgren, Morland’s attorney, subsequently argued against the witness’s accurate knowledge of the consistent arguing due to not living at the address.
The case’s lead detective was called as the third and final witness. The defense objected to this as his testimony included evidence the defense argued was not properly filed – a recorded confession by Morland.
Assistant District Attorney John F. Tjeersdma cited an exception to the “best evidence” rule and the judge agreed and allowed the confession.
During the trial, the lead detective recounted his findings of what occurred on the night the alleged murder occurred, saying that after questioning Morland about what had transpired, Morland confessed to the crime.
According to the detective, Morland recounted that his car ran out of gas between the intersection of Apache and Lewis in Tulsa and Ritchie was with him. An argument broke out between the couple where the defendant said Ritchie struck him under his eye. An abrasion was noted at the time of his arrest by Tulsa police.
The detective said Morland admitted the couple physically fought and after that particular fight, Morland said he left on foot to retrieve gas and when he came back to the car, he found Ritchie deceased. He then moved her body to the trunk of the car and covered her with clothes, the detective testified.
Haselgren asked the detective about details provided by Morland during his confession, but the witness was unsure about whether Morland was detailed in what he did during the physical altercation. Haselgren said a written statement shows that Morland “responded” after Ritchie struck him, but he never said, “I killed her.”
Although Haselgren had asked for the murder charge be lessened to manslaughter, the judge dismissed it after Tjeersdma noted Ritchie had 55 separate injuries, citing the medical examiner’s report.
Court arraignment for Morland is scheduled for Aug. 5, where Morland is set to enter a formal plea.
Leave a Reply