Cleveland Co. Jury Finds Joseph Alliniece Guilty Of First-Degree Murder

A Cleveland County jury convicted Joseph Alliniece for the brutal death of Brittani Young, a Norman woman killed in 2018.

After a week of witness testimony, the jury took just over 90 minutes of deliberation to come to a guilty verdict.  

“We’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. And it’s not over yet,” said Brittani’s sister-in-law Jamie Murphy. 

Brittani's family cried tears of joy in the hallway of courtroom as the verdict came in.

Alliniece was found guilty on all counts of first-degree murder, kidnapping and robbery. 

Young’s family hugged each other as they walked away from the courthouse, each wearing pink in solidarity. 

“It was Brittani’s favorite color,” said her sister, Brandi Murphy. “Our Brittani girl,” added Jamie. 

The defense presented and rested its case Monday, calling two witnesses to the stand and reading a statement from a third. 

Alliniece's mom is one who took the stand Monday afternoon. His godmother also took the stand. Both talked about talking on the phone with Alliniece the day Brittani died in 2018.  His mom spoke with him and Brittani several times.  

Alliniece’s godmother texted with him after Brittani’s killing. She then reported her godson to local police.  

She is credited with helping police locate Alliniece by giving investigators his phone number. Authorities pinged his phone to find where he was. 

The statement came from an EMT who responded and said the killing looked like “pure f****** rage,” after seeing Young’s body. That was a keystone in the defense's argument.  

It’s also something District Attorney Greg Mashburn rebutted with a dramatic scene in court, stomping his own foot in front of the jury box.

“[To] give the jury an impression of what was actually done to the victim, to help them understand the force that was used.”  Mashburn added. “You’re only going to do that when you intend to take someone’s life.”

Now the trial moves on to sentencing. 

“We’re halfway there. We’re halfway there,” said Brittani’s sister, Brandi. 

Mashburn plans to argue the jury should sentence Alliniece to death.

“The defense will put on mitigating evidence maybe to not warrant the death penalty,” he explained.  

The sentencing phase will begin Tuesday at 9 a.m.