By Mindy Ragan Wood
Staff Writer
A man accused of shooting up a friend with heroin and then leaving him to die has been arrested on a murder complaint, Yukon police said in a statement Tuesday.
Jeffrey Harper Burton, of Yukon, was arrested Monday after Brandon Schofield, of Oklahoma City, was found dead on Burton’s porch July 6.
Police responded to an emergency call at Burton’s home, 213 Paul Avenue in Yukon. The arrest warrant affidavit reads that Burton and Schofield had been shooting up heroin the night before. Burton said his friend had used “too much heroin” and insisted he had checked on the victim before leaving for work and after his shift at 4:50 p.m. He said Schofield was “lightly responsive,” and “trying to get up” when he returned home.
Burton told investigators that he woke up at 9:30 a.m. and left for work at 10:15, but before he left found his friend “groggy and not wanting to wake up.” Burton said he dragged Schofield from the couch outside where he poured water on him because he couldn’t wake him up. He claimed that his friend did wake up and he told him he needed to get a ride home. He said Schofield told him he would get a ride.
Burton claims he asked his manager “Jordan” who is also Schofield’s roommate to go and check on him. Jordan replied that he couldn’t leave his shift, the report states.
When Burton returned home, Schofield was in the same position on the back porch. He then said he called Jordan to come and get him, but he refused and told him to call the police. Burton said he refused to call the police, but then took video of his friend lying on the porch and loaded it to SnapChat for six friends to view before he finally called for medical assistance.
The report also states that Schofield had unexplained injuries, including abrasions to his face and on his body. A large wound on the back side of one leg showed the skin was pealed back similar to a burn injury.
The detective on the scene found Schofield was missing some clothing, but had a blanket and pillow near his body. A half empty bottle of water was also found nearby.
Investigators reviewed the video Burton took.
“It appears the victim is in some type of distress, as he never got up, only grumbling and barely moving as the defendant is narrating during the making of the video. After medical personnel arrive and exhausted all life saving measures, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene and later taken to the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner’s office,” the report reads.
Officers found marijuana, syringes, and a bent spoon with residue in the home.
The medical examiner listed the cause of death as heroin toxicity and hyperthermia.
“Investigators believe that Harper provided heroin to Schofield and then dragged Schofield outside while he went to work. Investigators believe that Schofield was left on the porch in the summer sun for well over six hours without shade, food or water,” a prepared statement reads.
Harper was booked into the Canadian County Jail for murder in the first degree and murder in the second degree, without bond.
