A jury trial has been scheduled for a man charged with first degree murder in the death of a Midwest City man in September of 2021. At the conclusion of a preliminary hearing in August of 2022, Steven Roberts, 55, was bound over to stand trial. He, along with Virgil Earl Nelson, 67, was charged Dec. 21, 2021 in Lincoln County District Court, accused of killing Daniel Aaron, 33, who reportedly was shot to death as he drove his motorcycle on U.S. 62 in Lincoln County near Harrah last Sept. 12.
State prosecutors moved to dismiss the murder charge against Nelson on July 21 last year, the date of his scheduled preliminary hearing in the case.
During his arraignment on Jan. 24 before District Judge Traci Soderstrom, Roberts reportedly stood moot on a plea. The Court entered a not guilty plea on behalf of Roberts and set the case on the felony disposition docket at 9:30 a.m. May 16.
The judge set his trial for 9 a.m. June this year. She scheduled to hear motions to quash, an immunity motion, reduction of bond and discovery at 9:30 a.m. March 3, court records show.
Roberts’ arraignment was originally scheduled for Oct. 4, 2022.
On that date, appearing with his attorney before District Judge Cindy Ashwood, Roberts waived a speedy trial and then Judge Cindy Ashwood continued the cause until 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 24, 2023.
Larry Wayne Ramirez, 51, and Conner Buntz, 33, were each charged with accessory after the fact to first degree murder.
Their charges were dismissed in Lincoln County Jan. 4 of last year and refiled the same day in Cleveland County and they were transported there.
The four are reportedly members of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club.
The State Attorney General’s Office is in charge of the cases.
Roberts is accused of on Sept. 12, 2021 in Lincoln County of committing first degree murder with malice and aforethought causing Aaron’s death by shooting him in the back of his body.
Nelson originally was accused of acting in concert with Roberts to commit first degree murder by shooting Aaron in the back of his body.
According to an affidavit filed in the case, Aaron was a member of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club. Aaron had a prospect, Brandon Drain, driving beside him the day Aaron was allegedly shot and killed near Harrah in Lincoln County.
Drain advised the agents the motorcycle riders passed on Highway 62 and that Aaron immediately began to drift into the opposing lane of traffic and laid his motorcycle down. Drain went to Aaron and noticed a lump in Aaron’s throat. Drain said EMS responded and transported Aaron.