It was reported on FOX New the other night as I was forced to watch while waiting for my to-go order at a Chinese restaurant (for the record, I get just as disgusted watching MSNBC or ANY partisan, knee-jerk agenda-driven news regardless of affiliation). But I do believe I saw the same detail in other news reports.

That said, it's doubtful he was fired JUST for simple proselytizing; judging by his Facebook rants he probably wouldn't take no for an answer and that is where the line is crossed, whether someone is trying to convert co-workers to Islam, Christianity or any other belief system. Once you start harassing a company has to take action.

All of that said, I suspect the guy's ties to overseas radical Islam are about the same as the Columbine shooters' ties to The Matrix. His criminal record suggests that he was a social misfit, and that seems to have continued into/after his conversion, only manifest in a different manner. If he had come to work one day while still in good standing and carried out his attack in an organized, methodical fashion, it would have lent more credibility to the idea that this was a terrorist act.

But the firing and willy-nilly attack are the smoking guns indicating workplace violence by a disgruntled ex-employee; he just chose methods that were inspired by his personal heroes.

I knew it was only a matter of time before some of our always reasonable state legislators chimed in.

Oklahoma House caucus claims Moore beheading was terrorism, not workplace violence | NewsOK.com (http://m.newsok.com/oklahoma-house-caucus-claims-moore-beheading-was-terrorism-not-workplace-violence/article/5346844)


Citing Thursday’s beheading of a Vaughan Foods worker in Moore, eight Oklahoma state representatives issued a joint statement Monday calling for a “public discussion about potential terrorists in our midst and the role that Sharia law plays in their actions.”
“The Feds say this is workplace violence, but people know that’s not true,” the eight House members said of Thursday’s incident in which Alton Nolen, 30, is suspected of beheading Vaughan Foods employee Colleen Hufford, 54, shortly after Nolen was fired.
“Unfortunately, jihadism is no longer confined to foreign soil. We must be alert to it here and take steps to counter the doctrine, institutions and organizations that foster it.”

The statement was issued by a group of state House members who identified themselves as the Counterterrorism Caucus.


What we need is a Counter Radical Legislator Caucus.

I knew it was only a matter of time before some of our always reasonable state legislators chimed in.

Oklahoma House caucus claims Moore beheading was terrorism, not workplace violence | NewsOK.com (http://m.newsok.com/oklahoma-house-caucus-claims-moore-beheading-was-terrorism-not-workplace-violence/article/5346844)



What we need is a Counter Radical Legislator Caucus.


"The lawmakers acknowledged the investigation is not yet complete and the motive for Thursday’s killing has yet to be proven"

Never let the facts get in the way of a fear mongering.

It was reported on FOX New the other night as I was forced to watch while waiting for my to-go order at a Chinese restaurant (for the record, I get just as disgusted watching MSNBC or ANY partisan, knee-jerk agenda-driven news regardless of affiliation). But I do believe I saw the same detail in other news reports.

That said, it's doubtful he was fired JUST for simple proselytizing; judging by his Facebook rants he probably wouldn't take no for an answer and that is where the line is crossed, whether someone is trying to convert co-workers to Islam, Christianity or any other belief system. Once you start harassing a company has to take action.

All of that said, I suspect the guy's ties to overseas radical Islam are about the same as the Columbine shooters' ties to The Matrix. His criminal record suggests that he was a social misfit, and that seems to have continued into/after his conversion, only manifest in a different manner. If he had come to work one day while still in good standing and carried out his attack in an organized, methodical fashion, it would have lent more credibility to the idea that this was a terrorist act.

But the firing and willy-nilly attack are the smoking guns indicating workplace violence by a disgruntled ex-employee; he just chose methods that were inspired by his personal heroes.

It looks like according to this article any statements about why he was fired are just speculation at this time.

Murder charge in attack at Vaughan Foods expected Tuesday | News OK (http://newsok.com/murder-charge-in-attack-at-vaughan-foods-expected-tuesday/article/5346843)


Vaughan Foods employees have told police Nolen was trying to convert co-workers to his religion. Company officials have not said in public statements if that is the reason for his firing, nor have they elaborated on the reason Nolen was fired.

Yeah, I would be surprised if the company would have publicly offered up reasons behind his firing so easily. Not good HR policy.

"The lawmakers acknowledged the investigation is not yet complete and the motive for Thursday’s killing has yet to be proven"

Never let the facts get in the way of a fear mongering.

I really, really, really hope the Derplahomans do not believe all the crap that's about to be spewed about Islam/Muslims by our politicians so they can monger that fear into a landslide election sweeping them into office. This one horrible thing could screw up OK's political landscape for a while...

I really, really, really hope the Derplahomans do not believe all the crap that's about to be spewed about Islam/Muslims by our politicians so they can monger that fear into a landslide election sweeping them into office. This one horrible thing could screw up OK's political landscape for a while...

You know they will do exactly that. OK politicians were doing that before this happened.

I knew it was only a matter of time before some of our always reasonable state legislators chimed in.

Oklahoma House caucus claims Moore beheading was terrorism, not workplace violence | NewsOK.com (http://m.newsok.com/oklahoma-house-caucus-claims-moore-beheading-was-terrorism-not-workplace-violence/article/5346844)



What we need is a Counter Radical Legislator Caucus.

This "caucus" is made up of some of the derp-iest lawmakers we have. Sally Kern, Dan Fisher, Mike Ritze, Mike Christian, John Bennett...not exactly the most rational and level headed group of individuals. So glad they get to make decisions for me...

You know they will do exactly that. OK politicians were doing that before this happened.

I know, I know. One of the first things I thought after hearing this was "OMG, this one dude/killing just gave incredible amounts of gasoline to that dumba**'s fire about Islam being a cancer, it's going to be horrible from here until the elections and probably for long afterwards." Wife said the national news has already forgotten about it, too much other crap going on, but I'm sure the effects will be somewhat longer lasting here, sadly...

Oklahoma beheading: Moore suspect confessed, attempted second beheading | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-beheading-moore-suspect-confessed-attempted-second-beheading/article/5347003)


These things led to the FBI becoming involved, although Mashburn said he believes the attacks were more about race than religion. He said the incident was was “triggered” by a complaint lodged by the second victim, Traci Johnson, 43, to the Vaughan Food human resources department.
Mashburn said Nolen was suspended from work after the complaint, which was prompted by an altercation between Nolen and Johnson earlier in the day, in which Nolen purportedly made remarks against white people.

So do we hate all black people now like we do muslims? (obvious sarcasm to point out the crazy knee jerk comments from derps that muslim jihadist terrorism being at play here)

I really, really, really hope the Derplahomans do not believe all the crap that's about to be spewed about Islam/Muslims by our politicians so they can monger that fear into a landslide election sweeping them into office. This one horrible thing could screw up OK's political landscape for a while...
Yeah. Go straight to politics - be sure to beat the crowd and still try to claim the high road. You honestly think it won't be a landslide but for this horrible tragedy? Sorry - I am just stunned at the inhumanity of your reaction. There is absolutely nothing highbrow about name calling and gritching that this sort of thing is going to steal your political party's chances. Jeeze. Can't we even grieve for these people for a week before we start complaining that it is screwing up your election hopes?

Oklahoma beheading: Moore suspect confessed, attempted second beheading | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-beheading-moore-suspect-confessed-attempted-second-beheading/article/5347003)

So do we hate all black people now like we do muslims? (obvious sarcasm to point out the crazy knee jerk comments from derps that muslim jihadist terrorism being at play here)

Name calling? Nice. It is just awful that this is screwing up your election chances. /sarc/ I honestly can't imagine what sort of mentality thinks this is remotely appropriate at this early stage. Did you happen to see that someone on the forum posted that they were close to the victim? They were pretty shook up about the event. The politics didn't even enter into it. Oh wait - that was DAYS ago. Nearly a damned week.

Name calling? Nice. It is just awful that this is screwing up your election chances. /sarc/ I honestly can't imagine what sort of mentality thinks this is remotely appropriate at this early stage. Did you happen to see that someone on the forum posted that they were close to the victim? They were pretty shook up about the event. The politics didn't even enter into it. Oh wait - that was DAYS ago. Nearly a damned week.

Dont know what you are talking about in regards to election chances but about the name calling...when I say derps here, I am talking about all people, elected or not, who irrationally are tying this sad event to ISIS jihadists and that they are in our midst now. This nut doing what he did has nothing to do with what we are fighting in Iraq and Syria. I quoted things to point out that this had as much to do with this guys warped view on race as anything. So the people claiming we are under attack from Islam...well, they are derps, fools, unintelligent and irrational human beings. I have no problem calling a spade a spade. Maybe I just didnt wait long enough for you. Can you tell me how long I should wait til I can comment on the misguided social state of affairs in regards to this event?

Deros is name calling. Complaining that this is apt to hurt your party's election chances so soon (is the victim even in the ground?) is just cold blooded. This is in current events. If you want to slam others for political purposes, there is a forum for that.

Now I'm hearing on the evening news that he had gotten into an altercation earlier in the day with the woman he attacked but who didn't die. She complained to management and that was when he was fired. They said the altercation was not likely related to religion but had more of a racial overtone.

http://kfor.com/2014/09/27/police-oklahoma-man-accused-of-beheading-woman-awake-charged-with-murder/

I'm trying to recall the number of times an instance of workplace violence led to the death of one of the participants by beheading...

...
Never let the facts get in the way of a fear mongering.

Whaaaaat? Someone is trying to make political hay using this sad situation?
Say it ain't so, jus' say it ain't so.

The only real surprise is it took more than 2 hours.

Denied: Man accused in Oklahoma beheading case denied bond | KFOR.com (http://kfor.com/2014/10/01/man-accused-in-oklahoma-beheading-case-transferred-from-hospital-to-jail/)

News | Moore Monthly (http://www.mooremonthly.com/news/update-vaughan-foods-suspect-alton-nolen-to-be-charged-with-first-degree-murder)

Oklahoma beheading: DA to seek death penalty | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-beheading-da-to-seek-death-penalty/article/5347361)

Alton Nolen Arraigned, Requests Muslim Attorney...

Alton Nolen Arraigned, Requests Muslim Attorney - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/26682346/alton-nolen-arraigned-requests-muslim-attorney)

MOORE, Oklahoma - The man accused of beading a woman and trying to behead another asks for a Muslim attorney during his arraignment.

Alton Nolen is currently being held at the Cleveland County Detention Center without bond after being released from the hospital.

For the most part, he stayed quiet and reserved during his arraignment, except for his unusual request.

Nolen spent the past seven days in the hospital after being shot in the abdomen and arm during the attack at Vaughan Foods. COO Mark Vaughan is the one who shot him. Police said Nolen lunged at Vaughan with a knife during his rampage.

10/1/2014 Related Story: Suspect In Moore Workplace Beheading Released From Hospital

Nolen is currently facing three felony charges including murder, assault and battery with a deadly weapon and assault with a deadly weapon for the attack that killed 54-year-old Colleen Hufford and injured 43-year-old Traci Johnson.

Police said Nolen confessed to trying to behead both women after he felt he was unjustly suspended.

During his arraignment, Nolen was escorted by two deputies and stood quietly as the judge read the charges against him. When the judge told him he was going to appoint a public defender, Nolen asked the judge to find him a Muslim attorney to represent him.

In the meantime, the family of Colleen Hufford released a statement Wednesday saying in part:

"Losing our mom, wife and grandmother has been one of the most difficult challenges any of us have faced in our lives. For her life to have been taken in such a a tragic act of violence adds a depth of grief we are trying to comprehend."

The funeral for friends, family and co-workers of Colleen Hufford has been set for 2 p.m. this Friday at Southgate Baptist Church in Moore. A memorial fund has also been set up in her name.

District Attorney Greg Mashburn said he plans to meet with the Hufford family to determine if the death penalty will be pursued in this case.

It's good to give a little more focus on the victim here instead of the perpetrator.

Oklahoma beheading: Friend remembers Colleen Hufford | NewsOK.com (http://m.newsok.com/friend-remembers-colleen-hufford/article/5347235)


“The world needs more people like Colleen Hufford.”

Oklahoma beheading: Prosecutor makes formal filing for death penalty | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-beheading-prosecutor-makes-formal-filing-for-death-penalty/article/5347678)

It's good to give a little more focus on the victim here instead of the perpetrator.

Oklahoma beheading: Friend remembers Colleen Hufford | NewsOK.com (http://m.newsok.com/friend-remembers-colleen-hufford/article/5347235)

Thank you for that! When I read the article earlier, I was thinking about how awful it must be for Colleen's family and friends to have to constantly hear "beheaded woman" this and "beheaded woman" that. It's like she didn't have an identity other than "beheaded woman" for the longest time. I was pleased that they finally printed a story focusing on the person she was rather than how she died.

Shooting range owner declares business ?Muslim Free Zone? after Oklahoma beaheading | KFOR.com (http://kfor.com/2014/10/02/shooting-range-owner-declares-business-muslim-free-zone-after-oklahoma-beaheading/)

Yeah. Go straight to politics - be sure to beat the crowd and still try to claim the high road. You honestly think it won't be a landslide but for this horrible tragedy? Sorry - I am just stunned at the inhumanity of your reaction. There is absolutely nothing highbrow about name calling and gritching that this sort of thing is going to steal your political party's chances. Jeeze. Can't we even grieve for these people for a week before we start complaining that it is screwing up your election hopes?

Do you even read my posts? I have no political party, I am an independent. Yeah, it's a bad thing, but I didn't know any of the people involved, I can't go around crying at every person that gets killed in some horrible fashion. I am concerned about the entirety of the community, city, country, not just one or two people. I look at the big picture, unlike lots of other folks who are in their own little world and do nothing to help others or their community or their country or world as a whole.

News | The Moore Daily (http://www.themooredaily.com/news/ruling-expected-today-in-vaughn-foods-attacks)

Judge says Oklahoma beheading suspect is mentally competent | News OK (http://newsok.com/judge-says-oklahoma-beheading-suspect-is-mentally-competent/article/5456564)

Having been found competent, and there being a ruling he is not mentally handicapped at a level that would render him ineligible for a death sentence, he will be able to enter a plea of guilty if he does desire to go that route.

This doesn't happen often, but it does happen. What he can not do is tank his prospects and also waive all review if a death sentence is imposed.

However, if the State doesn't get ignorant or show boaty, they can likely cleanly establish at least one aggravating factor, particularly if a competent defendant elects to not contest the evidence.

The trial court could then find him death eligible and impose the death penalty as the sentence.

A mandatory sentencing review would then take place at the Court of Criminal Appeals. If everyone has done their jobs correctly at the district court level, it's basically a formality, albeit an important one in light of the finality of the sentence. After that review, he could forego any other appellate review and a date could be set for him.

That of course assumes the current shut down of the DP process in our state can be resolved in a manner which would permit executions to again be carried out.

It seems rather unlikely the recent issues become some insurmountable mountain for the State to summit, or manage to turn the tide of the populace to demand the State join other states in leaving the death penalty in its past.