A judge has ruled there is probable cause for a local man to face trial on charges relating to the 2001 murder of Rex Treat Jr.
Matthew Lee Williams, 24, is charged in Pottawatomie County District Court with first-degree murder, accused of “deliberately and intentionally” taking away Treat’s life by striking him repeatedly in the head and inflicting mortal wounds June 21, 2001. Williams remains jailed without bond and is scheduled to enter a plea during a formal arraignment on Sept. 30.
A preliminary hearing in the case was held July 24, but no ruling was made whether to advance the case forward to trial pending the outcome of another hearing to consider certifying Williams as a youthful offender because he was 16 at the time of the alleged crime.
Special District Judge David Cawthon has ruled probable cause exists for Williams to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder and rape by instrumentation. That ruling followed a denial to certify Williams as a youthful offender.
Treat was killed near his childhood home on East 10th Street, where his body was discovered in the alley. Cause of death was ruled blunt force trauma to the head. Treat, 20, had gone to a party the night before and was walking home when something went wrong.
For many years, the case was unsolved. Things changed March 4 when Williams, who had just been released from prison two weeks earlier, reportedly walked into the Shawnee police station and allegedly confessed involvement in the crime. He was arrested and a rejuvenated investigation was launched; formal charges were filed March 19.
During an interview with police March 4, Williams allegedly spoke about specific details in Treat’s killing that detectives felt could only have been known by the person involved. Reports indicate Treat and Williams didn’t know each other until the night of the party.
During the preliminary hearing, Shawnee Police Detective Greg Gibson took the witness stand and District Attorney Richard Smothermon questioned him about the day Williams made his alleged confession.
The detective said Williams told him he’d been to a party with Treat, and they left together and walked to Treat’s home, where they went into a fenced backyard area. Gibson testified the two visited for a while and that Williams said he had “sexual feelings” for Treat that weren’t returned.
A struggle ensued, Gibson testified, demonstrating for the court how Williams said he put Treat in a “choke-hold,” which caused him to pass out. During testimony, a series of alleged events leading up to Treat’s death were revealed.
Gibson testified that Williams’ descriptions and statements about the crime were consistent with evidence and descriptions from the murder scene.
SHAWNEE, Okla. —
