The man seen on a body camera video shooting a Logan County Sheriff’s deputy in April 2017 was back in court last week. The defendant’s attorneys raised concerns on costs for expert witnesses and setting up a future request to move the trial to another county.
Nathan LeForce, who wore a Payne County orange jump suit with black hair reaching down to his neck and a long, black goatee, mumbled only a few words to his attorney during Friday afternoon’s hearing as five deputies stood behind him.
The most noticeable sound coming from the defendant, who is being housed in the Payne County Jail, was the chains that secured his wrists, waist and ankles as he walked in and out of the Logan County courtroom.
Deputy David Wade was helping with an eviction notice at a home near Mulhall on April 18, 2017 when he was shot multiple times and later died at OU Medical Center. Related article: LeForce bound over for trial in killing of Deputy David Wade
Leforce is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree armed robbery and larceny of a motor vehicle. Leforce has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In August 2018, a plea deal of a life sentence without the possibility of parole was offered by defense attorneys, but was turned down by District Attorney Laura Austin-Thomas.
“This case has no possibility whatsoever of settling. We rejected all offers and we are not going to change our mind,” Austin-Thomas told Guthrie News Page. Related article: Leforce to face death penalty in deputy slaying
With members of the Wade family seated next to Sheriff Damon Devereaux in the courtroom, the defense attorneys and Austin Thomas discussed future matters of the case, including possible questions for perspective jurors regarding the death penalty.
Defense attorney Gretchen Mosley, part of the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System (OIDS), said it was premature to set alarms off but wanted the court to know a hired forensic psychologist has suggested several more expert witnesses to consider if LeForce is mentally retarded and possibly suffers from an alcohol disorder.
Mosley says the experts could cost approximately $80,000 and that the funding may not be available from OIDS with the fiscal year coming to an end (June 30).
An alternative would be for the courts to pay for the expert costs.
District Judge Phillip Corley indicated he would not delay the trial due to possible financial concerns.
Defense attorney Peter Astor added they are having a difficult time locating school records of LeForce, who says he attended 30 different schools. The attorney hopes to locate the information and witnesses by late April and not delay the trial.
The judge set the next court date for June 10. Both attorneys are expected to exchange a list of witnesses and exhibits. A motion will likely be heard on that day from the defense team wanting the trial to be moved away from Logan County.
A jury trial is slated for August 5.
How on earth could an “expert witness” be considered in a CUT AND DRY MURDER CASE. That’s NOT A QUESTION.
This man is not retarded as this article suggests . . . This man was once a normal happy go lucky young man with a very bright future, a budding successful business and a beautiful family . . . Until drugs .