Oklahoma appeals court affirms life sentence in man’s death

Randle Raymond Lockett

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals has upheld the life prison sentence of a 45-year-old man prosecutors allege shot another man to death over a gold necklace.

The court handed down the ruling Friday for Randle Raymond Lockett, who was convicted of first-degree murder by a Tulsa County jury in the Sept. 21, 2013, shooting death of 21-year-old Charles Edward “C.J.” Johnson.

Prosecutors maintained that Lockett shot Johnson because he wanted the necklace back. Lockett told police he gave Johnson the necklace in exchange for some crack cocaine, but he later testified he had merely loaned the necklace to Johnson.

Among other things, Lockett’s appeal alleged prosecutors acted improperly and his defense attorney was ineffective at his trial. Lockett’s attorney, Stuart Southerland, didn’t immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.