Victim's Family Shocked After Murder Suspect Is Granted Bond In Guthrie

A Guthrie man accused of shooting and killing his employee has bonded out of jail.

Daniel Triplett is facing two charges stemming from the death of Brent Mack, one of those is a first-degree murder charge.

Mack's family is angry with the judge's decision that shocked even the county district attorney.

"Anger and a lot of emotions going through our minds," Troy Franklin-Smith said.

That's how Franklin-Smith, Mack's brother, described how he and his family felt when they heard Judge Susan Worthington decide to grant Triplett bond at $500,000.

"She understands that there's video evidence, and she put that up against him being an outstanding citizen in Guthrie," said Franklin-Smith.

According to court documents, OSBI agents and the Guthrie police tracked down surveillance video from a site where Triplett and Mack were working on Sept. 20.

The affidavit said the video shows Brent going down into a hole being dug for a septic tank, but he's never seen again.

About a month later, Mack's body was found under the tank.

"In my 35 plus years as a prosecutor, bond is not granted in murder one cases," said Logan County District Attorney Laura Thomas.

Thomas is not allowed to criticize the decision but disagrees with it.

"There was not evidence that was presented that this defendant could be convicted of anything other than murder one," said Thomas.

The Guthrie business owner was ordered to turn over his passport and surrender all firearms.

Triplett also agreed to GPS monitoring and to only leave his home for certain appointments.

Thomas told News 9 that doesn't make her feel any better.

"The flight risk is inferred in the gravity in a murder one charge," said Thomas.

There are three inmates being held in the Logan County jail also charged with first-degree murder.

The same judge denied them bond.

News 9 did reach out to Triplett's attorney but did not hear back.