OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA: A man convicted of brutally murdering a 94-year-old woman while under the influence of meth has had his murder conviction overturned due to a disturbing revelation. It came to light that there was a sexual relationship between the presiding judge, Timothy Henderson, and one of the prosecutors involved in the case.
The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, in a 3-2 decision, has ruled in favor of the defendant, Robert Leon Hashagen III, and has ordered a new trial. Hashagen had previously been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of first-degree murder in 2021. However, his defense attorneys brought forth new evidence that uncovered the undisclosed relationship between Judge Henderson and the prosecutor. This shocking revelation has raised serious questions about the integrity of the original trial and has led to the decision for a fresh trial to ensure a fair and unbiased legal process for the defendant. The discovery of the undisclosed relationship could lead to a re-evaluation of hundreds of cases overseen by Judge Henderson.
Who is Timothy Henderson?
Timothy Henderson served as an officeholder for the Oklahoma Judicial District 7, assuming the position in 2012. He was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin (R) in July 2012 to replace Judge Daniel L Owens, who had retired. Subsequently, Henderson was elected to a full term on the court in 2014. Notably, Henderson's re-election to the Oklahoma Judicial District 7 occurred without a general election on November 6, 2018, as it was canceled. Henderson resigned from his position on April 5, 2021 after nearly nine years in office.
'...literally in bed together'
"The undisclosed relationship violated Hashagen's due process rights. It is no exaggeration to state that the very integrity of the judiciary in Oklahoma is at stake here," attorney James Lockard argued in a defense appellate brief, as per the Oklahoman. "If a man can be convicted and sentenced to die in prison at a trial before a judge and prosecutor who were literally in bed together, then no citizen of Oklahoma can or should expect to get a fair trial in any Oklahoma court."
Why was Robert Leon Hashagen convicted?
On the morning of July 5, 2013, a tragic incident occurred when Evelyn Goodall, a 94-year-old gardener and passionate bird-watcher, was brutally beaten. She succumbed to her injuries later at the hospital. In her final moments, Goodall urgently pleaded for help, telling an emergency dispatcher, "Hurry, hurry. I'm dying. Please send the police. Please hurry. I'm bleeding to death." Tragically, just two days after the attack, Goodall died at the hospital due to the severe blunt force trauma she suffered, as determined by the state medical examiner's report. Hashagen, who had previously been a neighbor of Goodall's, was found guilty of felony murder during a burglary and was convicted in 2021 for his involvement in the horrific incident.
