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October 2, 2012

Couple charged in dual killing

Female suspect related to victims

By Wendy Burton Phoenix Staff Writer

— A Muskogee couple has been charged with murder in the August deaths of Tahlequah residents Angela Findlay and Jesse Catron.

Jessie Renee Leppke Redford, 42, who is Findlay’s sister and Catron’s niece, and Redford’s husband, Tracy Lee Redford, 46, are each charged in Cherokee County District Court with two counts of murder in the first degree-malice aforethought, one count of felony first-degree murder as an alternative, and robbery with a dangerous weapon.

The couple allegedly entered the home of Catron and Findlay between Aug. 12 and Aug. 15 and beat and stabbed Catron, 64, and Findlay, 49.

The Redfords allegedly cut Findlay and Catron’s throats, causing their deaths, according to the court document filed Friday. The Redfords are also accused of stealing credit cards belonging to Findlay.

Catron and Findlay’s bodies were found late Aug. 15 after someone called the police department and asked officers to check on Catron and Findlay’s welfare.

The Redfords were arrested the next day on complaints of stabbing Earnest “Lee” Norfleet, 52, on Aug. 14 at a Tahlequah motel. Norfleet survived.

The couple was charged with 11 counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of robbery with a dangerous weapon in that case.

The police department soon named the Redfords as “persons of interest” in the murder case.

Both are held without bond in the stabbing case; they are to return to court Oct. 24.

Bond has not been set in the murder case.

First-degree murder is punishable by death, imprisonment for life or imprisonment for life without the chance of parole.

Felony robbery with a dangerous weapon is punishable by 20 years to life in prison, and assault with a deadly weapon carries up to 10 years in prison for each count.

Reach Wendy Burton at (918) 684-2926 or wburton@muskogeephoenix.com.

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