Since I know how much some of you guys like to follow the Vigilante's case...


Prosecutor is replaced in video case

By Jay F. Marks
Staff Writer

A new prosecutor has been appointed to the pandering case against video vigilante Brian Bates and his wife.
Bryan Slabotsky, the Kingfisher County prosecutor, will handle the case after Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater disqualifying himself.

Prater wanted to avoid any appearance of impropriety in the case, which involves one of predecessor Wes Lane's most vocal critics, Assistant District Attorney Scott Rowland said.

Attorney General Drew Edmondson appointed District Attorney Cathy Stocker of Enid as Prater's replacement.

Stocker then assigned the case to Slabotsky, who runs her office in Kingfisher County.

Stocker also had been assigned to determine whether Bates, 36, broke any laws in September when he handed out political fliers critical of Lane. The files allegedly were given to prospective jurors.

She said prosecutors will review all the files in the Bates case before making any decisions.

Bates' attorney, Scott Adams, said last week Prater made the right decision in allowing another prosecutor to take over the case.

Bates and his wife, Vickie, are accused of paying prostitutes to lure clients to areas where he could film them.