Former Guthrie Councilman Sentenced to Life in Prison for Killing Co-Worker, Burying Him Under Septic Tank

GUTHRIE, Okla. (KOKH) — A former Guthrie councilman found guilty of killing a co-worker and burying him under a septic tank was sentenced to prison on Friday.

Daniel Triplett was sentenced to life in prison without parole for first-degree murder and seven years for desecration of a corpse.

During the investigation, police say Triplett fired Brent Mack on September 20, 2021, and gave him a $1,000 severance. Triplett told investigators he then dropped Mack off at a laundromat in Guthrie.

After reviewing the surveillance video outside the laundromat, police saw Triplett’s truck drive by on September 20 but never stop.

Later, police asked Triplett where the last job he and Mack had worked was located. Triplett originally told them it was in Crescent on September 8.

After acquiring a search warrant for Triplett’s home and vehicle, investigators found a logbook of job locations. They found a record that showed Triplett had installed a septic system in Mulhall on September 20, the same day Mack was reported missing.

The people who lived in the home in Mulhall had surveillance footage of Mack and Triplett working on the job site.

Investigators say Mack disappeared from view of the camera when he went down into the hole that was being dug for the placement of the septic tank. Police noted he was never seen in the footage again after disappearing into the hole.

Footage also showed two people arriving at the worksite, but only one person was seen leaving.

Investigators dug up the septic tank on October 21st. Underneath the septic tank, state anthropologists used a probe to find the body. Once the body was exhumed, investigators found a wallet with Mack’s ID inside.

Triplett was found guilty of first-degree murder and desecration of a human corpse earlier this year.

Triplett tried to claim self-defense during the trial.

Logan County District Attorney Laura Austin Thomas said Triplett plans to file an appeal because he believes he wasn’t given a fair trial.