Medical Examiner Rules OKC Man's Death A Homicide

The State Medical Examiner has classified an Oklahoma City man's death as a homicide, more than three months after he died.

On September 6, police were called to a home in the 3200 block of N. Roff. Officers found Jeffrey Scott Bearden, 46, lying unconscious on the floor. He was handcuffed and being held down by a neighbor.

Officers removed the handcuffs and paramedics rushed Bearden to the hospital.

According to a police report, officers questioned two suspects, a husband and wife. They told police Bearden was drunk and high and tried to assault people in the house.

The husband said it all started when he thought Bearden pushed his wife. The wife said it was a misunderstanding and told her husband to go back to their nearby home, and told Bearden to go back into the house.

Witnesses said when Bearden went into the house he suddenly "went crazy." They said he was throwing things and tearing curtains.

The woman went into the house to see what was happening. She said she and Bearden became involved in a physical altercation, and her 14-year-old daughter ran to get the woman's husband and bring him back to the house.

The man told police he saw Bearden assaulting his wife, so he confronted Bearden and the two fought. Bearden ended up unconscious on the ground. The man said he put handcuffs on Bearden so he wouldn't fight when he regained consciousness.

Bearden died two days later from his injuries.

Oklahoma City Police detectives recently learned the Medical Examiner's office had ruled Bearden's death a homicide. The Oklahoma County District Attorney will decide if the other man involved in the altercation will be charged.