By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
A Yukon man charged with shooting to death one roommate and injuring a second roommate has waived his right to a preliminary hearing in the court case.
Patrick Allen Matthews, 25, is being held without bond at the Canadian County Jail after being booked in January 2021 for first-degree murder and assault and battery with a deadly weapon.
Matthews was formally charged in connection with a fatal shooting on Dec. 19, 2020, at a home near Britton and Mustang roads.
Canadian County prosecutors allege the defendant used a firearm to shoot to death Alfredo Vera, 24; and injure Jhonnatan Gonzalez-Leal, 34.
After 10 previous continuances, Matthews appeared with his attorney David Ogle at a May 18th court hearing before Canadian County Special Judge Khristan K. Strubhar.
The defendant waived his right to the preliminary hearing so that he “might enter a plea” to the two felony charges, according to the defendant’s signed statement.
District court arraignment is set for 1:30 p.m. June 16 before District Judge Jack D. McCurdy II.
Canadian County Assistant District Attorney John Salmon is prosecuting the case.
The first-degree murder charge is punishable by death, life in prison or life without parole.
The assault and battery with a deadly weapon charge is punishable by up to life in prison.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Oklahoma City Police responded at 6:24 p.m. Dec. 19, 2020, after a 911 caller reported gunshots in the 9700 block of High Noon Road north of Yukon.
When officers arrived on scene, Matthews picked up a pistol in the front lawn and shot himself, according to a probable cause affidavit signed by police investigator Jonathon Davis.
Officers discovered two other men inside the home who had been shot.
Gonzalez-Leal suffered a gunshot wound to the chest.
“Leal told officers he and his roommate (Patrick Matthews) had used LSD and were watching a movie when the roommate became mad for no reason and shot him,” according to the affidavit.
The other roommate, Vera, was found dead inside the home with a gunshot wound to the head.
Vera and his girlfriend had been inside a bedroom when they heard a loud bang and went to help Gonzalez-Leal after finding him bleeding from the chest.
The girlfriend then heard a second shot and Vera immediately fell to the ground next to her.
“Patrick walked to the kitchen and began throwing and breaking various items, so the witness was able to grab the gun and call 911 herself,” according to Det. Davis’ affidavit.
When officers arrived on scene, Vera’s girlfriend ran from the home seeking their help. Fearing she may be shot while running from the house with a gun, she had placed the pistol on the ground in the front lawn before approaching officers.
This witness told police Matthews had shot both victims. She also confirmed Gonzalez-Leal and Matthews had “acid” in the living room of the home earlier that day.
Matthews was taken to a local hospital in critical but stable condition for treatment of his self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was booked into the Canadian County Jail after recovering several weeks later.