Trial begins for Tulsa man accused in deaths of 4 women

TULSA, Okla. (AP) – The trial of a Tulsa man accused in the shooting deaths of four women in 2013 has begun.

The Tulsa World (http://bit.ly/1p3bHHp ) reports that a jury heard opening statements Thursday in the trial of 35-year-old James Poore. He is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and two counts of armed robbery in the shootings of 23-year-old twin sisters Rebeika Powell and Kayetie Powell Melchor, 33-year-old Misty Nunley and 55-year-old Julie Jackson. He has pleaded not guilty.

Authorities say the women were found dead inside Rebeika Powell’s apartment at the Fairmont Terrace complex with gunshot wounds to the head and with their hands tied behind their backs on Jan. 7, 2013. Investigators believe Poore and his brother, Cedric Poore, robbed the women and then shot them out of fear of being recognized.

Cedric Poore is also charged in the case.