(Stillwater, Okla.) — An ex-convict was sentenced today to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the Dec. 1, 2011, fatal beating of 45-year-old Ava M. King of Cushing — whom he had met that night at a downtown Cushing bar.
Benjamin Joel Andrew Littlesun, 23, of Cushing, who was brought into the courtroom today in shackles, a belly chain and leg irons, appeared emotionless as he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder.
Asked by District Judge Phillip Corley if he understood that the prosecution intended to seek the death penalty for him at a jury trial, Littlesun acknowledged that.
When the judge questioned Littlesun about what he had done, he said today, “I took a life, beat her up.”
District Attorney Tom Lee recommended a sentence of life in prison without parole for Littlesun in accordance with a plea agreement, which the judge accepted today.
After court recessed this morning, relatives of the murder victim told KUSH they supported the sentence, which would not require them to go through a jury trial.
They thanked law enforcement officers and the district attorney for their handling of the case.
Cushing Police Chief Terry Brannon told KUSH, “We’re certainly satisfied with the outcome this morning.”
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