Federal jury convicts Stilwell man of first-degree murder

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that a federal jury convicted a Stilwell man of first-degree murder and two firearm offenses in Indian Country.

Steven Dewayne Beard, 51, was found guilty during the federal trial, which began Sept. 9 and concluded Sept. 14.

Charges against Beard arose after a probe by the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

According to reports, the prosecution presented evidence that Beard intentionally shot and killed the victim with malice aforethought.

Beard and the victim were reportedly romantic rivals and on March 29, 2023, Beard ordered the woman to remove her property from his residence while he was away. Investigators said Beard knew the victim would be accompanying the woman and he hid his vehicle, and waited inside for her and the victim to arrive. Investigators said Beard shot the victim in the chest and then shot him a second time in the chest at pointblank range as he was on the ground. The crime occurred in Cherokee County.

Honorable Judge Ronald A. White presided over the trial and Beard was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin Gross and T. Cameron McEwen prosecuted the case.