Family Shocked After Teen Charged in Dad's Death

A metro family is grieving after a father was killed and his daughter charged with his murder.  

Thursday, January 29th 2009, 10:11 pm

By: News 9


By Dave Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Two teenagers linked to the murder of a Cleveland County man are in the process of being extradited back to Oklahoma.

Brittany Herrera, 15-years-old, and her 17-year old boyfriend Matthew Fox were found Tuesday in Fort Worth. The Cleveland County District Attorney charged both of them with first-degree murder for the death of Brittany Herrera's father Leroy Herrera.

The family said they're still in shock over Leroy Herrrera's death and the fact that he may have died at the hands of his daughter.

Leroy Herrera is described as a devoted family man whose kindness and generosity extended beyond his relatives.

"You would always find Leroy at the front of the line whenever it was time to help anybody," said Lee Adams, Leroy Herrera's cousin-in-law. "At a family crisis, he was right there."

According to police, Leroy Herrera's stepson found him January 24 in the living room of his home with a stab wound to his throat. Authorities believe it was the end result of a confrontation between his daughter and her boyfriend. Adams said that's a far cry from the quiet little girl who spent nights at his house.

"I don't know if it's the goth crowd, I really have no idea what put her where she's at," Adams said. "That's not the child I remember at all."

According to a probable cause affidavit a witness claimed"..Brittany recently showed her a large black handled knife."

The witness also said "Matt has been living in the house with Brittany for two weeks without her parents' knowledge" and he even threatened to cut Herrera throat.

Investigators found backpacks containing knives, cells phones, clothing and a Greyhound ticket receipt.

Both Brittany and Matthew are charged with first-degree murder.

"According to all the witness statements and the information we have at this time, we feel murder in the first-degree is warranted in this case," said Cleveland County District Attorney Greg Mashburn.

Adams and his family are planning Leroy Herrera's funeral and continue to urge parents to keep an eye on their children.

"Be nosy with your kids," Adams said. "Go into their room, find out what they're doing and if it's not right, get it done away with."

A date for Brittany and Matthew's extradition hasn't been set. Leroy Herrera's funeral, however, is scheduled for Friday.

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