Oklahoma Judge: Man Must Stand Trial in Workplace Beheading

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Oklahoma Judge: Man Must Stand Trial in Workplace Beheading
Alton Nolen is led from the courtroom following his preliminary hearing in Norman, Okla., Friday, Jan. 8, 2016. Nolen, accused of beheading a co-worker with a large butcher knife at an Oklahoma food processing plant, must stand trial for first-degree murder, a judge ruled after a hearing at which witnesses graphically described what they saw in the September 2014 attack. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
The Associated Press
1/10/2016
Updated:
1/10/2016

 

NORMAN, Okla.  — A man accused of beheading a co-worker with a large butcher knife at an Oklahoma food processing plant must stand trial for first-degree murder, a judge ruled Friday after a hearing at which witnesses graphically described what they saw in the September 2014 attack.

Alton Nolen could face the death penalty if convicted in the rampage at the Vaughan Foods plant in Moore, anOklahoma City suburb. Cleveland County Special Judge Steve Stice ordered him to stand trial on charges including first-degree murder and assault and battery with a deadly weapon.

Nolen, 31, has pleaded not guilty. His attorney, Mitch Solomon of the Oklahoma Indigent Defender’s Office, declined to comment after the hearing.

Alton Nolen is led from the courtroom following his preliminary hearing in Norman, Okla., Friday, Jan. 8, 2016. Nolen, accused of beheading a co-worker with a large butcher knife at an Oklahoma food processing plant, must stand trial for first-degree murder, a judge ruled after a hearing at which witnesses graphically described what they saw in the September 2014 attack. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Alton Nolen is led from the courtroom following his preliminary hearing in Norman, Okla., Friday, Jan. 8, 2016. Nolen, accused of beheading a co-worker with a large butcher knife at an Oklahoma food processing plant, must stand trial for first-degree murder, a judge ruled after a hearing at which witnesses graphically described what they saw in the September 2014 attack. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)