1973-06-23

3 Charged with murder

Published September 1973

BORGER - Bonds of $15.000 each have been set for three men chargd with murder with malice in connection with motorcycle accident June 23 in which an 18-year-old woman was killed.

Jerry Paul Pittman, 24. of Archer Johnny "Preacher" Clinkingbeard, 32. of Fritch, and Ted Shortteeth.
29, of Sand Springs, were in hutchinson County Jail today in lieu of bond.

Bond was set by Hutchinson County Justice of Peace Sam Watson.

The trio, arrested Monday by Hutchinson County Sheriff's officers. also was arraigned on charges of burglary in connection with a July 7 break-in at a Lake Meredith Village home in which fishing gear and several household items were taken. Bond was set at $2,000 for each man.

What was reported as a motorcycle accident about 11:30 p.m. Friday. June 23. resulted in death to Miss Donna Gail Saine, 18. She died of head and internal injuries at North Plains Hospital about two hours after the crash.

Miss Saine, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Don Saine of Electric City. was a passenger on the motorcycle driven by Dennis Edward Witt, 26, of Plemmons Route, Borger. He suffered a fractured shoulder and lacerations in the mishap.

At the time of the accident, Witt told highway patrolmen he was blinded by the lights of an oncoming car while he was northbound on Farm Road 1319. about a half mile northeast of Sanford.

Witt lost control of the machine on a curve. The cycie crossed the roadway, traveled up an embankment and tumbled into a 40-foot ravine. Both occupants were thrown from the vehicle.