Man Accused Of Killing Weleetka Girls Due In Court Tuesday On Separate Charge

An Okmulgee man accused of killing two Weleetka girls faces a preliminary hearing in the death of his girlfriend.

The hearing scheduled to begin in Okfuskee County District Court Tuesday for Kevin Sweat, who is accused of killing Ashley Taylor, his girlfriend. Sweat also is charged with first-degree murder in the June 2008 shooting deaths of 13-year-old Taylor Placker and 11-year-old Skyla Whitaker.

11/3/2011 Related Story: Man Jailed In Fiancee's Murder May Be Linked To Weleetka Murders

Authorities say the killings are unrelated, but detectives investigating Taylor's death found shell casings they allege linked Sweat to the deaths of the young girls.

Investigators say they searched property near Weleetka in August and discovered fragmented adult human bones, pieces of prescription eye glasses and female clothing from a burn pile they linked to Taylor.

Sweat has pleaded not guilty.

12/9/2011 Related Story: Suspect In Weleetka Girls' Murders Says He Shot 'Two Monsters'