Police look for new witnesses in murder case

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

Two men accused of shooting and killing a 10-year old Oklahoma City boy are back on the streets.

Now authorities are expressing their frustrations with the case.

A number of critical witnesses in the murder case of Mack McCray backed out and investigators are scrambling to find somebody who will cooperate, said David Prater, Oklahoma County district attorney.

The case against the accused brothers, 23-year old Lamond and 19-year old Ulyses Simpkins, was thrown out last week days before it was set to go to trial.

Investigators think the two were shooting inside the victim's home to retaliate against his older brother, a rival gang member. Mack McCray, 10, was shot and killed as he slept inside the home.

Prater said when any case involves violence and gangs, it's not uncommon for witnesses to back out.

"You got this prevailing attitude everywhere, not just in the black community, but really everywhere - don't snitch, don't help the police," he said. "Well that really has a horrible effect on prosecuting these criminals and trying to make this community a safer place."

The case now goes back to the cold case unit of the Oklahoma City Police Department. Prater is urging anybody with any information on this case to give them a call.