Mitchell released on own recognizance on second-degree murder charge

NEWKIRK — Blackwell Police Lt. John Mitchell appeared in Kay County District Court on Monday in his initial hearing and bond hearing on a charge of second-degree murder (or in the alternative, manslaughter in the first degree).

Caddo County Assistant District Attorney Amanda Self, representing the state, sought bond of $150,000. Instead, Judge Lee Turner released him on his own recognizance.

Mitchell appeared with his attorney, Gary James.

A scheduling date with Judge Brock is set for 2 p.m. Dec. 18, 2019, by phone, with Mitchell’s appearance waived.

Mitchell was indicted Nov. 21 by the state’s multi-county grand jury in the death of  Micheal Ann Godsey on May 20. Mitchell is accused of firing approximately 60 rounds while in pursuit of Godsey as she drove through Blackwell, firing shots from her pickup truck at several locations early that morning.

The incident began at approximately 3 a.m. May 20 when the Blackwell Police Department received calls that shots were fired and a vehicle had been struck in the 1300 block of South Main in Blackwell. Officers arrived and began working the scene. Shortly thereafter, dispatch received additional calls of shots being fired from a white pickup truck at various locations around town.

Officers located the pickup truck and a pursuit began with shots exchanged. Eventually the pickup came to a stop at 13th Street and Doolin Avenue. When officers approached the truck, they found 34-year-old Micheal Ann Godsey deceased in the driver seat. She was the only passenger in the truck.

Mitchell and another Blackwell police officer,  both involved in the pursuit, were placed on paid administrative leave.

Grand jurors concluded Mitchell acted without justifiable or excusable cause and engaged in “imminently dangerous conduct” toward Godsey. If convicted, he faces at least 10 years in prison.