Oklahoma

Only woman on Oklahoma’s death row granted Supreme Court hearing

Published

1 year ago

January 21, 2025

Only woman on Oklahoma’s death row granted Supreme Court hearing

The U.S. Supreme Court has ordered a case review of the only woman on Oklahoma’s death row, citing concerns over the prosecution’s use of her sexual history during her trial.

Brenda Andrew, convicted in 2004 for the murder of her estranged husband Rob Andrew, argued that prosecutorial tactics, including references to her as a “slut puppy” and the display of her thong underwear during closing arguments, unfairly influenced the jury.

Why It Matters

Brenda Andrew was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder and first-degree murder in the 2001 killing of her advertising executive husband in Oklahoma City.

Prosecutors alleged that Andrew and her lover, James Pavatt, lured Rob Andrew into the garage and fatally shot him with a shotgun, intending to claim his life insurance proceeds. Pavatt also received the death penalty.

A stock image of the U.S. Supreme Court on November 16, 2022, in Washington, D.C.

searagen/Getty Images

What To Know

A three-judge panel at the 10th Circuit upheld Andrew’s conviction, but one dissenting judge argued that the use of irrelevant evidence rendered the trial fundamentally unfair.

Judge Arlene Johnson of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals had previously made a similar critique.

Lawyers for Andrew argued that the state had a circumstantial case that it backed up by presenting evidence about “her sexual history, gender presentation, demeanor and motherhood.”

The Supreme Court’s decision does not exonerate Andrew but directs the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider her claims. In an unsigned opinion, the court noted that previous rulings under the Due Process Clause prohibit the introduction of evidence so prejudicial that it undermines a fair trial.

Justice Clarence Thomas, joined by Justice Neil Gorsuch in dissent, argued that the state presented “overwhelming evidence” of Andrew’s guilt and upheld her sentence.

Oklahoma officials echoed this view, maintaining that the references to Andrew’s personal life were “a drop in the ocean” of the case’s evidence.

Brenda Andrew and James Pavatt exit Judge Carol Hubbard’s courtroom in Oklahoma City on July 18, 2002.

AP Photo/The Oklahoman, Steve Gooch

At the 2004 trial, Andrew’s defense argued her innocence, portraying her as a devoted mother and churchgoer. Prosecutors, however, emphasized her extramarital affairs and demeanor, presenting male witnesses who described her as provocative and seductive. The trial culminated in the dramatic display of her thong before the jury, paired with descriptions of her as manipulative and immoral.

The state also highlighted Andrew’s actions following the crime, including fleeing to Mexico with Pavatt before her arrest. Despite Pavatt’s confession to the murder, police and prosecutors asserted Andrew’s involvement in orchestrating the crime, leading to her conviction.

Andrew’s attorneys contend that these tactics violated her constitutional rights. They argue that evidence irrelevant to the crime rendered the trial fundamentally unfair and cast her character, rather than her actions, as the centerpiece of the prosecution’s case.

What People Are Saying

At trial, lawyers for Andrew said: “The state invited the jury to convict and condemn Ms. Andrew to die because she was a ‘hoochie,’ was a bad mother and wife, did not cry publicly, and otherwise failed to adhere to feminine stereotypes.”

Judge Robert Bacharach wrote: “The evidence not only lacked relevance but also cast Ms. Andrew as a woman fixated on seducing nearby men.”

What Happens Next

The case now returns to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, where judges must determine whether the evidence used against Andrew meets the standard for rendering her trial fundamentally unfair.

If the appellate court upholds the conviction, Andrew’s legal options may be exhausted, leaving clemency from Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt or the parole board as her last resort.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma adds explosive 4-star commit on offense

Published

3 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

Oklahoma adds explosive 4-star commit on offense appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The 2026 college football season is still months away from kicking off, but coaches are already hitting the College football Recruiting trail for players in the class of 2027. Oklahoma has already landed some talented players.

Now, they have added another solid player, according to Hayes Fawcett of On3.

Athlete Greydon Howell, rated as a four-star recruit by Rivals, has committed to Oklahoma. Howell is from Broken Bow, Oklahoma, and chose to go to the Sooners over Oklahoma State, Miami, Penn State, Stanford, and Arkansas. He visited Oklahoma over the weekend, attending a recruiting event.

The 4-star recruit has been a dominant force at his high school in the sports landscape. He plays football, basketball, baseball, and track. This past season, he played quarterback for his team, passing for 2,817 yards with 27 scores, while adding 1,514 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground. He is expected to play wide receiver for the Sooners.

Rivals ranks him as the 13th best athlete in the nation, and 425th overall. Still, other ranking services have him lower. 247Sports has Howell ranked as a three-star player and the 25th best athlete in the nation.

Regardless, it is another major signing for Brent Venables and the Sooners. They have 19 commitments so far, and have the number one-ranked class for 2027 according to 247Sports. They have been great at keeping in-state guys at Oklahoma. Kaeden Penny is the top player in the state for the class of 2027, and he is going to Oklahoma. Cooper Hackett is ranked third in the state and is also a future Sooner.

The Sooners open their 2026 campaign on September 5 against Utep.

Oklahoma Sooners land 4-star safety over Florida, Georgia

Oklahoma lands top tight end over Kentucky, Notre Dame

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Oklahoma

OSSAA unveils Class 6A-2A basketball state tournament brackets, schedule

Published

16 hours ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

OSSAA unveils Class 6A-2A basketball state tournament brackets, schedule

The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association has released the brackets for Classes 6A-2A state basketball tournaments which run March 10-14.

Games will be played at OG&E Coliseum, Lloyd Noble Center, Carl Albert and Yukon.

All championship game will be played at OG&E Coliseum with Class 6A, 4A boys and girls on Friday and the others on Saturday.

Action begins Tuesday with Class 4A quarterfinals at OG&E Coliseum.

Here is the full schedule.

Order book on Oklahoma HS basketball at ‘The Big House’

Class 6A Boys

Wednesday’s Games

At Lloyd Noble Center

Norman vs. Tulsa Union, 4:30 p.m.

Owasso vs. Southmoore, 6 p.m.

Putnam North vs. Piedmont, 7:30 p.m.

Mustang vs. Edmond Santa Fe, 9 p.m.

Thursday’s Games

At Carl Albert

Norman-Tulsa Union winner vs. Owasso-Southmoore winner, 5:30 p.m.

Mustang-Edmond Santa Fe winner vs. Putnam North-Piedmont winner, 7 p.m.

Friday’s Game

At OG&E Coliseum

Championship, 6 p.m.

Class 6A Girls

Wednesday’s Games

At Lloyd Noble Center

Putnam North vs. Edmond North, 9 a.m.

Choctaw vs. Bixby, 10:30 a.m.

Mustang vs. Bartlesville, Noon

Muskogee vs. Westmoore, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday’s Games

At Carl Albert

Mustang-Bartlesville winner vs. Muskogee-Westmoore winner, 1 p.m.

Choctaw-Bixby winner vs. Putnam North-Edmond North, 2:30 p.m.

Friday’s Game

At OG&E Coliseum

Championship, 1 p.m.

Class 5A Boys

Thursday’s Games

At Lloyd Noble Center

Tulsa Booker T. Washington vs. Carl Albert, 4:30 p.m.

Del City vs. Collinsville, 6 p.m.

Newcastle vs. Tulsa East Central, 7:30 p.m.

Tulsa Memorial vs. Midwest City, 9 p.m.

Friday’s Games

At Lloyd Noble Center

Del City-Collinsville winner vs. Tulsa Booker T. Washington-Carl Albert winner, 2 p.m.

Newcastle-Tulsa East Central winner vs. Tulsa Memorial-Midwest City winner, 5 p.m.

Saturday’s Game

At OG&E Coliseum

Championship, 6:45 p.m.

Class 5A Girls

Thursday’s Games

At Lloyd Noble Center

Newcastle vs. Glenpool, 9 a.m.

Tulsa Booker T. Washington vs. Bishop McGuinness, 10:30 a.m.

Del City vs. Shawnee, Noon

Tulsa East Central vs. Carl Albert, 1:30 p.m.

Friday’s Games

At Lloyd Noble Center

Del City-Shawnee winner vs. Tulsa East Central-Carl Albert winner, 11 a.m.

Newcastle-Glenpool winner vs. Tulsa Booker T. Washington-Bishop McGuinness winner, 12:30 p.m.

Saturday’s Game

At OG&E Coliseum

Championship, 1:30 p.m.

Class 4A Boys

Tuesday’s Games

At OG&E Coliseum

Blanchard vs. Cascia Hall, 4:30 p.m.

North Rock Creek vs. Fort Gibson, 6 p.m.

Catoosa vs. Mount St. Mary, 7:30 p.m.

Douglass vs. Bethany, 9 p.m.

Thursday’s Games

At Yukon High School

Douglass-Bethany winner vs. Catoosa-Mount St. Mary winner, 1 p.m.

North Rock Creek-Fort Gibson winner vs. Blanchard-Cascia Hall winner, 3 p.m.

Friday’s Game

At OG&E Coliseum

Championship, 2:45 p.m.

Class 4A Girls

Tuesday’s Games

At OG&E Coliseum

McLoud vs. Harrah, 9 a.m.

Lincoln Christian vs. Kingfisher, 10:30 a.m.

Weatherford vs. Locust Grove, Noon

Douglass vs. Broken Bow, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday’s Games

At Yukon High School

Lincoln Christian-Kingfisher winner vs. McLoud-Harrah winner, 6 p.m.

Douglass-Broken Bow winner vs. Weatherford-Locust Grove, 8 p.m.

Friday’s Game

At OG&E Coliseum

Championship, 7:45 p.m.

Class 3A Boys

Wednesday’s Games

At OG&E Coliseum

Kingston vs. Wyandotte, 4:30 p.m.

Millwood vs. Community Christian, 6 p.m.

Eufaula vs. Roland, 7:30 p.m.

Heritage Hall vs. Rejoice Christian, 9 p.m.

Friday’s Games

At Lloyd Noble Center

Millwood-Community winner vs. Kingston-Wyandotte winner, 6:30 p.m.

Heritage Hall-Rejoice Christian winner vs. Eufaula-Roland, 8 p.m.

Saturday’s Game

At OG&E Coliseum

Championship, 5 p.m.

Class 3A Girls

Wednesday’s Games

At OG&E Coliseum

Washington vs. Metro Christian, 9 a.m.

Spiro vs. Alva/Freedom, 10:30 a.m.

Anadarko vs. Adair, Noon

Sequoyah Tahlequah vs. Millwood, 1:30 p.m.

Friday’s Games

At OG&E Coliseum

Washington-Metro Christian winner vs. Spiro-Alva winner, 10 a.m.

Sequoyah Tahlequah-Millwood winner vs. Anadarko-Adair winner, 11:30 a.m.

Saturday’s Game

At OG&E Coliseum

Championship, 10 a.m.

Class 2A Boys

Thursday’s Games

At OG&E Coliseum

Dale vs. Vanoss, 4:30 p.m.

Oklahoma Christian Academy vs. Latta, 6 p.m.

Fairland vs. Riverside, 7:30 p.m.

Hartshorne vs. Wewoka, 9 p.m.

Friday’s Games

At Yukon High School

Dale-Vanoss winner vs. OCA-Latta winner, 3 p.m.

Hartshorne-Wewoka winner vs. Fairland-Riverside winner, 5 p.m.

Saturday’s Game

At OG&E Coliseum

Championship, 8:30 p.m.

Class 2A Girls

Thursday’s Games

At OG&E Coliseum

Howe vs. Riverside, 9 a.m.

Hartshorne vs. Fairview, 10:30 a.m.

Vanoss vs. Dale, Noon

Latta vs. Merritt, 1:30 p.m.

Friday’s Games

At Yukon High School

Howe-Riverside winner vs. Hartshorne-Fairview winner, 10 a.m.

Vanoss-Dale winner vs. Latta-Merritt winner, Noon

Saturday’s Game

At OG&E Coliseum

Championship, 11:45 a.m.

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Oklahoma

Nigel Pack, Xzayvier Brown combine for 44 points, lead Oklahoma past Texas in overtime

Published

1 day ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

Nigel Pack, Xzayvier Brown combine for 44 points, lead Oklahoma past Texas in overtime

AUSTIN — Nijel Pack scored 23 points, Xzayvier Brown added 21 points, and Oklahoma beat Texas 88-85 in overtime in the final regular season game of the season for the two Southeastern Conference sides.

Pack was 7 of 14 from the field and 3 of 7 behind the arc. He scored nine points during a 14-2 second-half run that turned a tie game into a 12-point lead for the Sooners (17-14, 7-11) with fewer than seven minutes remaining. Brown was 8-of-18 shooting with four steals and led with 12 in the first half. Tae Davis added 14 points and nine rebounds.

The Longhorns (18-13, 9-9) held a 40-36 lead at halftime. They were led by Jordan Pope’s 30 points on an inefficient 8-of-25 shooting but was 7 of 18 from behind the arc. Dailyn Swain added 18 points, seven rebounds, eight assists and three steals. Tramon Mark had 17 points. Matas Vokietaitis had 14 points and six rebounds.

The Sooners led by six with 36 seconds to go in regulation, but fouled Mark twice, including on a 3-point attempt that followed a turnover. Mark made all five free throws to make it a one-point game with 15 seconds left.

A pair of free throws from Davis put the Sooners up three. But Brown fouled Pope on a 3-point attempt, and Pope made all three free throws to tie the game and send it to overtime.

Pope had five in overtime and Mark three for the Longhorns, but Derrion Reid’s five points for the Sooners, including a 3-pointer with 11 seconds left, put the game out of reach.

Texas lost four of their final five games to finish as the No. 10 seed in the SEC tournament.