Bettlyoun v. State

1977 OK CR 124, 562 P.2d 862
CourtCourt of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma
DecidedMarch 29, 1977
DocketF-76-868
StatusPublished
Cited by7 cases

This text of 1977 OK CR 124 (Bettlyoun v. State) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Bettlyoun v. State, 1977 OK CR 124, 562 P.2d 862 (Okla. Ct. App. 1977).

Opinion

OPINION

BUSSEY, Presiding Judge:

The Appellant, Charles Bettlyoun, hereinafter referred ■ to as defendant, was charged, tried and convicted in the District Court, Pottawatomie County, Case No. CRF-76-94, for the offense of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, in violation of 21 O.S.1971, § 645. After a trial by jury and on the 22nd day of September, 1976, the defendant was sentenced to a term of three (3) years in the custody of the Department of Corrections. From said judgment and sentence he appeals.

The first witness for the State was Phillip W. Cheatham, who testified that he was a police officer with the Shawnee Police Department. While on duty on the 23rd day of March, 1976, he had occasion to go to a residence at 1905 East 7th Circle in the City of Shawnee, to investigate a disturbance. He arrived simultaneously with several other officers and there interviewed a lady who claimed to be the defendant’s mother or grandmother and the owner of the residence above mentioned. This lady told Officer Cheatham that the defendant was inside the house, was creating a disturbance, and that the owner wanted him out because there were two minor children also in the house. The witness testified that being concerned about the two minor children, he went to the front door and knocked on the door and engaged the defendant in conversation; at which time two other officers went to the back of the house in order to enter the same through a window. While the witness was conversing with the defendant at the front door, he testified that the defendant told him he had a shotgun and would blow him up if he came any closer and at the same time hurled an ash tray through the plate glass window of the front of the house. The witness then confirmed with the owner that there was no shotgun in the house but that the defendant did, in fact, have a knife. Upon returning to the front door the officer continued to receive threats and observed objects being thrown through the window which included a chair, a table and more ash trays. Officer Cheatham testified that he first observed the defendant as he came through the front door in the company of two police officers and at that time the defendant was very docile and quiet. The witness did not enter the house until the defendant had been taken into custody and only then to complete his final report.

On cross-examination the witness testified that he had met the defendant’s father who had been a Shawnee police officer. He *864 also testified that he had been on many “family disturbance” calls and that his first job was always to insure the personnel safety of those involved.

Fred M. Merritt next testified that he was also a Shawnee Police Officer; that he went to the above residence on the date in question, at which time he entered the house through a back bedroom, while the previous witness occupied the defendant at the front door. After entering the bedroom through the window, he proceeded toward the hall, at which time he observed the defendant standing in the hall. He noticed a knife in the hand of the defendant, at which time an attempt was made to a stab at or slash at the witness. At this time the officer slammed the door between himself and the defendant and heard the knife strike the door. He testified that the knife blade came within a few inches of his body. A few minutes later he opened the door, told the defendant to drop the knife, but the defendant slashed at him again, and after slamming the door, heard the knife strike the door again. He testified that this activity took place two or three times. Finally the officer opened the door, while the knife was on the ground, at which time the subject fled down the hall. The defendant was finally apprehended without the knife. At this time State’s Exhibit No. 1, the knife, was identified and offered into evidence. There was no objection.

The officer testified that the defendant became calm and docile after his apprehension. He also testified that there were twin girls, approximately five years old, located in another bedroom in the house. On cross-examination it was pointed out that the two small children slept through the entire disturbance. Further cross-examination concerned the number of times the knife was actually thrown at the witness.

The next witness for the State was Officer Steve McLaughlin of the Shawnee Police Department. His testimony was essentially the same as that of the previous officer in that he accompanied Officer Merritt through the window into the back bedroom of the home and assisted in apprehending the defendant. He essentially corroborated his testimony concerning the knife. Officer McLaughlin testified that he drew his weapon upon hearing the knife hit the door the first time.

On cross-examination, this witness testified that he did not see the small children asleep in the other bedroom. Further, that the defendant was calm and docile after being apprehended and he observed no force used against the defendant while he was being taken into custody.

At this time the State rested its case in chief, the defendant demurred and moved that the charge be reduced to a misdemean- or, which was overruled.

After making his opening statement, the defendant called as his first witness, Katherine Masquat. She testified that she lived at 1924 East Walnut in Shawnee, Oklahoma and that she was the grandmother of the defendant. She further testified that the father had been gone from the home for approximately six years.

The defense next called Mrs. Lula Mae Bettlyoun, who testified that she was the mother of the defendant. On the evening in question her fifteen year old son and seventeen year old son were in the house when the defendant came in that night. He appeared to be drinking “a little.” A scuffle occurred between the defendant and his younger brothers. After the scuffle the two younger brothers and the mother left the house and one of the younger brothers called the police. She testified that she informed the police of what had transpired upon their arrival. She identified State’s Exhibit No. 1 as her knife, and stated that she was not concerned about the welfare of the twin girls who had remained in the house.

On cross-examination the witness testified that the defendant was, in fact, drunk. She further testified that there was minor damage to the house and some scratches on the door where “ya’ll said he threw the knife.” The witness stated that she broke up the scuffle between the defendant and his younger brother in fear that the younger brother might get hurt. She also stated *865 that she asked the police to calm the defendant down, and that she gave them permission to enter the house.

The final witness was the- defendant, who testified that he returned home that evening both mad and drunk. After eating a meal, the defendant got into a “fuss and scuffle” with his younger brothers. After his mother and brothers left, the defendant locked the door and proceeded to undress for bed when he heard the police come to the front door. He stated he told them he had a shotgun and for them not to come any closer when, in fact, he did not have a gun. After hearing a noise toward the back of the house, he grabbed the knife and ran in that direction. The witness indicated that he made a motion with the knife and when the door was shut it caused the door to hit the knife.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
1977 OK CR 124, 562 P.2d 862, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/bettlyoun-v-state-oklacrimapp-1977.