Two Accused In Pottawatomie County Murder Appear In Court

Dana Hertneky, News 9

SHAWNEE, Oklahoma -- Two people accused in the murder of a Pottawatomie County man made their first appearances in court Monday.

Sheb Bennett is facing murder charges, and his girlfriend Rebecca Roper is accused of trying to take the blame for the crime.

10/28/2011 Related Story: Pottawatomie County Shooting Kills One, Puts Two In Jail

Still family members said they shouldn't be in jail at all.

Pottawatomie County Sheriff Michael Booth spent most of the day conducting interviews on this case. He said there is a long history of problems at this house and he is still trying to sort out if this is a case of self defense, an accident, or premeditated murder.

The crime scene Friday night, where 24-year-old Anthony Davis was shot and killed was certainly not the first time deputies have been at this home.

"He keeps coming back and coming back because he's blood," Michael Lowe told News 9 Friday night. "He keeps coming to borrow money and then start a fight, he'll attack his mother and attack his grandmother."

Lowe is cousins with both the victim and the alleged shooter and said Davis has been a problem for his family for a long time.

"This should have never happened," he said. "He should be in jail, he should have never been here."

The sheriff said deputies have been at the home 16 times in the past year. Dispatchers have received five calls involving Davis.

On May 25, the caller said Davis was drinking and hit a 5-year-old girl.

On May 26, the caller reported he assaulted a female at the house. Davis was arrested.

On Oct 7, the caller said Davis was yelling at everyone. He left with his mother and deputies weren't dispatched.

On Oct 13, the caller said Davis was refusing to leave the house, and he may have a knife. Davis left the scene but deputies contacted him and told him not to return to the property or he would be arrested for trespassing.

On Oct 24, the caller said Davis was threatening to burn the house down. Deputies took a report.

"The only thing we can do by law is make an arrest, if we can make an arrest," said Sheriff Booth. "Otherwise the only thing we can do is make a report and turn it in for possible charges to be filed and that's what we've done."

Sheriff Booth said he and his investigators will be using all of that information as part of the puzzle in figuring out what exactly happened Friday night.

Bennett and Roper are both still being held in the Pottawatomie County jail.