Statement of the Case
State of Oklahoma vs. Dakota Boren

On Aug. 6, 2005, Billie Jo “Alfalfa” Murray was the favorite to win the saddle bronc event in the inaugural National Coed Finals Rodeo held in Oklahoma City. In the National Coed Rodeo Association (NCRA), the historic distinctions between male and female events have been dissolved to allow men and women to compete against each other in bull riding, barrel racing, and bareback and saddle bronc riding. In addition to the fame and fortune that will accompany winning the gold buckle, being a champion also includes a scholarship of $10,000 a year for four years to pay for tuition, books and other expenses.

Murray was riding Sooner Fury, a reputed rank bronc, when she fell from the horse to the dirt floor of the arena causing massive head injuries which resulted in her death at the local hospital approximately five hours later. Her chief rival, Dakota “Cody” Boren, was declared the winner after Murray was injured and failed to ride for the required eight seconds, but the NCRA has withheld the gold buckle and scholarship after Boren was indicted for murder in the second degree by imminently dangerous conduct. After investigation, Detective Sam Nigh concluded that Boren cut the honda of the deceased’s hack rein and concealed the cut with adhesive tape similar to that regularly used by the deceased. The severed rein then separated during Murray's ride causing her to be thrown from the bucking horse. Sidney Bellmon, the expert retained by the defense, insists that the rein could have been severed by means other than Boren’s knife.

Macy Henry, Murray’s traveling partner and friend, was shocked by her death, but not necessarily by Boren’s actions, since the fierce rivalry between Murray and Boren is well known, even to NCRA officials like Ripley Kerr. Sean “Happy” McGee, the pickup rider who was in the arena to assist Murray during her ride, would like to believe that Boren didn’t do it, but McGee saw Boren the night before the competition carrying a pocket knife near the tack room where Murray’s rein was stored. Despite incriminating statements made to Detective Nigh, Boren still insists that s/he is innocent.