A Lincoln County jury has found a murder defendant guilty of the lesser crime of second degree manslaughter and recommended time served as his punishment.
The jury returned its verdict against Khristian Tyler Martzall, 32, of Wellston after 1 a.m. following more than eight hours of deliberations.
Martzall was originally arrested May 15, 2018 about 9 p.m. in the city of Jones for murder, according to an affidavit filed in Lincoln County District Court on May 16 of that year.
Lincoln/Pottawatomie County District Attorney Adam Panter prosecuted the case along with Assistant DA Ryan Stephenson.
Martzall’s defense attorneys were Velia Lopez and Gregg Graves. District Judge Traci Soderstrom presided over the case.
“While I’m disappointed about the conviction for a lesser charge, I do appreciate and respect the jury for their service,” Panter said after the trial. “We put on the best case I think we possibly could have, and hope that we did Braxton Danker proud.
“At least now there is some finality to this case.”
Braxton was the two-year-old child who was taken to Integris Hospital in Edmond the night of May 13, 2018, who died that same evening, according to the affidavit.
Even though Martzall was reportedly charged with murder originally, Panter said former DA Allan Grubb had reduced the charge to Enabling Child Abuse. However, Panter said he amended it back to first degree murder in January of this year.
Martzall had remained in the Lincoln County Jail since the time of his arrest, Panter confirmed.
Judith Cheyann Danker, the child’s mother, was charged in Lincoln County District Court with first degree murder in May of 2018. Panter said that charge was later reduced to Enabling Child Abuse by former DA Allan Grubb.
Court records show that on Apr. 16, 2019, appearing before former District Judge Cindy Ashwood, Danker pleaded guilty to the amended charges as the result of a plea bargain and the Court found Danker guilty as charged.
Judge Ashwood sentenced her to 25 years in the Department of Corrections, assessed a $500 fine, $150 VCA along with court costs and advised Danker of mandatory post imprisonmentsupervision, recommending three years.