OKEMAH, Okla. (AP) — A preliminary hearing is scheduled in for a man accused of shooting two young girls to death near Weleetka.
The hearing will be conducted Monday in Okfuskee County District Court for Kevin Sweat. It will determine whether Sweat is bound over for trial on two counts of first-degree murder for the 2008 deaths of 13-year-old Taylor Placker and 11-year-old Skyla Whitaker. They were shot repeatedly after they went for a walk on a rural road.
Sweat pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Sweat has already been bound over for trial on a separate first-degree murder charge for the July 2011 slaying of his girlfriend, 23-year-old Ashley Taylor. Prosecutors are also seeking the death penalty in that case and trial is set to begin on June 10.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.