Trial Dates Set In 2013 Killings Of Four Tulsa Women

A Tulsa judge has set separate jury trials for two men accused of shooting four women to death in an apartment last year.

Judge William Kellough set the trial for James Poore for January 12, 2015 and February 9, 2015 for Poore's brother, Cedric Poore.

Both men have pleaded not guilty to killing 23-year-old twins Rebeika Powell and Kayetie Melchor, 33-year-old Misty Nunley and 55-year-old Julie Jackson.

The Tulsa County DA's office also announced it will not seek the death penalty in both cases. 

"We will not seek the death penalty.  The crimes are tragic and it has emotionally impacted each of the families who lost loved ones.  But, at the end of the day, we must objectively consider a wide variety of factors, including the admissible evidence as well as the legal issues involved.  After doing that objective analysis, we are declining to file a bill of particulars, seeking the death penalty," said Tulsa County First Assistant District Attorney Doug Drummond.

Drummond says if Cedric or James Poore are found guilty, possible punishment will be a sentence of life or life without parole. 

He says he's talked to the victim's families regarding the death penalty.

"There is no question that the family members believe the death penalty is certainly a viable option given what has happened.  But they understand our reasoning. Ultimately, they want justice for what happened," said Doug Drummond.

The four women were discovered around midday in a back bedroom of Powell's apartment at the Fairmont Terrace Apartments near 61st Street and Peoria Avenue. All four had their hands tied behind their backs with blue or pink fabric and gunshots to the head.

The attorneys representing the Poores have argued that the state built a flimsy case on unreliable witnesses who admittedly used drugs and cut deals with prosecutors.

9/13/2013 Related Story: Tulsa Brothers Bound Over For Trial In Quadruple Murder At Fairmont Terrace

The Associated Press contributed to this report.