In the winter of 2020, the community of McAlester, Oklahoma, was shaken by the tragic death of Catrina Jo Pope, a 37-year-old woman, on February 5th. Her life was cut short in a violent act that would later be described as a result of domestic violence. Catrina was fatally shot at her residence, a place that should have been her sanctuary. The news of her death sent ripples of sorrow through those who knew her as a friendly and caring individual.
The investigation into her death was
swift, and authorities quickly focused on her husband, Jonathan James Tubbs, as the primary suspect. He was arrested shortly after the incident and subsequently charged with first-degree murder. The legal proceedings that followed painted a grim picture of a tumultuous relationship that ended in the most devastating way possible. In May 2021, a Pittsburg County jury found Tubbs guilty of the charges brought against him.
During the sentencing phase of the trial, the profound loss and enduring pain of Catrina's family were laid bare. Her sister and father delivered emotional victim impact statements, speaking of Catrina's strength and the immense void her absence had created in their lives. The judge, noting Tubbs' lack of remorse for his actions, sentenced him to life in prison with the possibility of parole, mandating that he serve at least 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible.
Catrina was a woman with deep roots in her community. Born on August 31, 1982, she was a graduate of McAlester High School. She furthered her education by earning an associate's degree from Eastern Oklahoma State College and two bachelor's degrees from Southeast Oklahoma State University. She was known for her work at Jackson Hewitt Tax Service and as a stocker at Walmart. For 13 years, she also dedicated her time to volunteering at a home daycare. She was a mother to two daughters who were left to navigate life without her.
