Mother of Pottawatomie Murder Suspect Says Son Acted in Self-Defense

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

PRAGUE, Oklahoma -- The mother of a man accused of murdering and stuffing another man into a container is speaking out for her son, saying his actions were in self-defense.

Pottawatomie County Deputies said they found 19-year-old Ethan Walton dead, handcuffed in a sealed 55 gallon drum Wednesday night. Investigators said Walton was handcuffed, his feet were taped together and he had major head injuries.

Investigators found Walton after a nude woman ran to a nearby home for help saying she was sexually assaulted and her boyfriend had been murdered.

Deputies arrested 39-year-old Glendon Gouker and his sister, Michelle, for the crimes. Authorities said Walton had been trying to sell Gouker a piece of property.

"It was done yesterday morning. The family knew that Ethan had agreed to a price Glendon offered him and paperwork was done and signed yesterday morning," said Penny Veitenheime, Glendon Gouker's mother.

Veitenheime said she spoke to her son several times Wednesday and everything sounded fine, until Thursday morning.

"He called and said, 'Mama get an attorney.' He said, 'He came back to rob me.' He said, 'Get Michelle out of here. She had nothing to do with this,'" Veitenheime said.

Veitenheime said she believes her son and stepdaughter Michelle Gouker fought back after a home invasion by Walton and his girlfriend and likely got scared when Walton died.

Veitenheime said her son told her it was self-defense.

"He says Ethan was coming to rob him, to demand more money for the property. All the papers had already been signed early Wednesday. It was already a done deal," Glenda Gouker said.

But investigators said there are still many unanswered questions.

"Our theory on that is home invasions, you don't cuff and tape them and put them in a 55 gallon drum and seal it and tie them naked to a bed," said Capt. J.T. Palmer, Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office.

Veitenheime said her son's next court date is in about a week, which is when he's expected to be charged with first-degree murder.

The female victim's name has not been released.