Family of Claremore Murder Victim Reacts to Conviction

A Rogers County jury found Michael Spears guilty of murdering his friend, Mark McKinney, and recommended life in prison.

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McKinney’s family said they feel like justice was served in this case, but they still don’t understand why their loved one was murdered.

McKinney was Nancy Smith’s cousin, but she remembers him as a brother.

“He was fun. He picked on me a lot because he was a little bit taller,” Nancy said.

Her husband Tim remembers McKinney for his kind, giving spirit.

“He’d mow yards for older people and barely charge them anything. Just enough to give him some spending money,” Tim said.

McKinney, who was 51, was stabbed to death with a sword in a mobile home on the east side of Claremore in November 2017.

Last week a jury convicted Mike Spears in his friend’s death and recommended life in prison.

Investigators said Spears asked his sister if she would help him put Mark’s body in a lake, but police arrived at the murder scene first.

“He was a good guy. He didn’t deserve what he got,” Nancy said. “I mean seriously, he didn’t deserve that.”

The Smiths said while the trial is over, they’re still looking for answers.

“I feel justice was served but we would still like to know why-why did he kill him?” Tim said.

Investigators said another man, Larry McCoy, showed up after the murder. They said he went through McKinney’s pockets and stole a cell phone. McCoy’s case has not gone to trial yet.