Nichols Hills Fire Chief Murdered in his Mustang Home

[PennyQuilts]

Did you guys see this awful story? According to newspaper reports, the wife was the only witness and she claimed a young white man in a hoodie came into the house, Tuesday night, and shot her husband. He told her he was sorry but the man should have given him a job, then left. The house was not otherwise disturbed or robbed. His name was Keith Bryan but Nichols Hills hasn't had job interviews in several years. Keith Bryant, however, is the fire chief in OKC and they just finished job interviews. Or so says the newspaper. Just awful. I feel so sorry for the family.

http://newsok.com/nichols-hills-fire...ad_story_title

[HewenttoJared]

Terrible.

[Thunder]

Wow, wrong guy murdered. :-(

[PennyQuilts]

Well, maybe, Thunder. Until they get it sorted out, that is just speculation, of course. I just hope they get to the bottom of it, soon. Poor man.

[BBatesokc]

Really terrible. Wonder how this will shake up. She filed for divorce in the past. My money says she did it or had it done. But, I don't know them so that could be a totally bad and in poor taste call. Just where my mind immediately went.

http://www.oscn.net/applications/osc...64&db=Canadian

[PennyQuilts]

Really terrible. Wonder how this will shake up. She filed for divorce in the past. My money says she did it or had it done. But, I don't know them so that could be a totally bad and in poor taste call. Just where my mind immediately went.

That was my first thought, too, Brian, but the coincidence on the names is striking. Either way, it is completely bizarre.

[BBatesokc]

That was my first thought, too, Brian, but the coincidence on the names is striking. Either way, it is completely bizarre.

I agree. But how stupid would the killer have to be to give such a huge clue to his identity? Not that impulse killers are exactly criminal masterminds.

[Thunder]

It is possible either ways.

We have two persons with similar names, one with an extra letter.

The wife claimed the man commented about employment.

One district went through their interviews recently while the other did not.

1. The wife could have taken up on that opportunity to hire a hitman and attempt to do the perfect crime.
2. Unfortunate mistake on the man's part murdering the wrong person.

This will be very complicated if the guy were to be caught.

3. If it was actually #2 and the guy learned of his mistake, he could attempt to lie about the wife hiring him to receive a lesser charges/sentencing if caught.

[Roadhawg]

My thoughts and prayers to the family... terrible thing to have happened.

[kevinpate]

DOC is chock full of folk, on both sides of the bars, who acted on a notion without any significant planning involved prior to the act, or after the act.

Can I buy a perp apologizing to a vic's spouse and explaining why he acted as he did? Easily. Does it mean this went down that way? No. Doesn't mean it didn't either.

I haven't followed the press on it closely throughout the day. Too much going on elsewhere. Of the early am talking head brigade on 9 that I did hear and see, one thing made me go "huh?" If I heard correctly, a family member of the deceased contacted a 9 talking head (Miller) and requested Miller come to talk to the spouse of the deceased. That was a somewhat different twist, liver viability or no. Beyond that 'huh' moment, sounded like a too typical oh what a damn shame incident.

[metro405]

I truly believe she acted impulsively heat of passion based on the way that it took place. She obviously got nervous and tried to hide evidence but it goes to show she was completely out of character and a insanity moment she had. I think with the battered wife and verbal/physical abuse defense it would surprise me if she spends any length of time in prison and not a Psychiatric facility. Just saying she has that defense in place that will make a difference in the case.....Not to mention a white woman who has been a model citizen up until this incident

[BBatesokc]

I truly believe she acted impulsively heat of passion based on the way that it took place. She obviously got nervous and tried to hide evidence but it goes to show she was completely out of character and a insanity moment she had. I think with the battered wife and verbal/physical abuse defense it would surprise me if she spends any length of time in prison and not a Psychiatric facility. Just saying she has that defense in place that will make a difference in the case.....Not to mention a white woman who has been a model citizen up until this incident

No idea how premeditative it was, but it was murder no less. In light of Ersland's conviction, I wouldn't hold my breath that she gets anything less than a lengthy prison sentence.

[Wambo36]

Maybe it's just me but, acting impulsively in the heat of the moment doesn't include wearing a glove to avoid testing positive for GSR.

[metro405]

No idea how premeditative it was, but it was murder no less. In light of Ersland's conviction, I wouldn't hold my breath that she gets anything less than a lengthy prison sentence.

Good point BB but I believe after the jury hears about the verbal and physical abuse that will be raised and how she feared for her life. During the trial you will hear how bad of a guy Keith Bryan is suppose to have been. I really don't think they will send her away for long Battered wife syndrome temporary insanity defense

[OKCTalker]

Keith Bryan’s memorial service will be held at 10 AM this Saturday, 09/24/2011, at the Bridge Assembly of God Church located at 1116 West Highway 152 in Mustang Oklahoma.
The arrangements are being made by McNeil’s Mustang Funeral Service. Their mailing address is PO Box 1616, Mustang Oklahoma, 73064. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to the Mustang Fire Department Equipment Fund which can be sent to the PO Box listed above.

There is a memorial fund set up in Keith’s name at BancFirst. Donations to the Keith Bryan Memorial fund may be dropped off at any BancFirst branch, or may be dropped off at the Nichols Hills Fire Department, Police Department, or City Hall.

[PennyQuilts]

Thank you, OKCTalker.

[ljbab728]

The local media played back his wife's 911 call today as a part of an update about this story. It was very disturbing. I know they have a legal right to do so but that must be difficult on his friends and family to have to hear that broadcast out to the public on television.

[BBatesokc]

I think some of us called it....... Chief's wife is being booked into the county jail right now.

[OKCTalker]

I think some of us called it....... Chief's wife is being booked into the county jail right now.

Then you all are the winners. Congratulations.

[Roadhawg]

Then you all are the winners. Congratulations.

I don't think there are any winners in this case... sad

[OKCTalker]

I don't think there are any winners in this case... sad

That was sarcasm. Brian was spiking the ball in the end zone and it p***ed me off - a good man was killed by his wife, and in so doing, she unnecessarily frightened OKC Fire Chief Keith Bryant and the citizens of Mustang, robbed her two sons of their father, two grandsons of their grandfather, and a fire department of its chief.

I've known two other people who were murdered - one by his wife, the other an OCPD officer by a burglar (his shooter later asphyxiated himself with a sock) - both young men about age 30. It leaves you angry and sad, and a hole remains for the rest of your life.

There are no winners in this, which was a truly unnecessary, selfish, stupid and premeditated act.

[Roadhawg]

That was sarcasm. Brian was spiking the ball in the end zone and it p***ed me off - a good man was killed by his wife, and in so doing, she unnecessarily frightened OKC Fire Chief Keith Bryant and the citizens of Mustang, robbed her two sons of their father, two grandsons of their grandfather, and a fire department of its chief.

I've known two other people who were murdered - one by his wife, the other an OCPD officer by a burglar (his shooter later asphyxiated himself with a sock) - both young men about age 30. It leaves you angry and sad, and a hole remains for the rest of your life.

There are no winners in this, which was a truly unnecessary, selfish, stupid and premeditated act.

I agree 100%

[kevinpate]

Whatever role Cargill played earlier on, Gary James is her attorney at this time.

[PennyQuilts]

She hid the gun in the dryer. The DRYER!!

[okcisok]

Desperate people do desperate things. Glowing words (and justified I'm sure) from people who knew him, but no one knows what happens behind closed doors. Sad, just very sad.