In the quiet town of Bixby, Oklahoma, the life of Kevin Patrick Phelps, a 37-year-old male, was cut short on June 19, 2017, just one day after his birthday. The events of that evening unfolded at Phelps's residence, stemming from what was supposed to be the repayment of a debt.
An altercation broke out between Phelps and a man named Earnest Liggins, who had come to the house to give Phelps some money.
Neighbors later reported hearing a heated argument between the two men shortly before 10 p.m. The dispute escalated physically, and Liggins, who was armed with a firearm, fatally shot Phelps. When authorities arrived, Phelps was pronounced dead at the scene.
Liggins was subsequently arrested and charged with first-degree murder. During the trial, he admitted to shooting Phelps but maintained that his actions were in self-defense. His attorney argued that Phelps, who was reportedly trained in martial arts and intoxicated at the time, had become irate and instigated the fight. Liggins claimed that he feared for his life and tried to leave before the situation turned deadly.
After hearing the evidence, the jury considered the shooting to be an act of self-defense and found Earnest Liggins not guilty of first-degree murder. However, he was convicted of unlawfully carrying a firearm. Having been in custody since the shooting, Liggins was given credit for time served and was discharged from the Tulsa County jail.
