By Conrad Dudderar
Associate Editor
A Yukon man faces the death penalty or life in prison after being charged for allegedly shooting his wife to death last week in their eastern Canadian County home.
Vaughn R. Cannon, 41, was formally charged Sept. 5 in Canadian County District Court with first-degree murder – deliberate intent.
The defendant on Aug. 30 “with malice aforethought” caused the death of Jordan Cannon “by shooting her with a handgun numerous times in the head, thereby inflicting mortal wounds upon her”, according to the charging document signed by Assistant District Attorney Austin T. Murrey.
Jordan Cannon, 40, was a Cleveland County sheriff’s deputy and former Okarche and El Reno police officer. Vaughn Cannon also is a Cleveland County sheriff’s deputy.
Detectives interviewed Vaughn Cannon after he was advised of his Miranda rights, according to a probable cause affidavit signed by an Oklahoma City police investigator.
“After he agreed to speak with detectives, Vaughn said he did not remember the entire incident,” the court affidavit reads. “Vaughn recalled being in their bedroom with his wife who was sitting on the side of the bed.
“Vaughn remembered hearing gunshots and called his uncle. During their conversation, Vaughn said he ‘f—ed up’. His uncle told Vaughn to surrender to the police.”
The fatal shooting occurred near Sara Road and SW 29th southeast of Yukon.
Oklahoma City Police responded at 1:57 a.m. Aug. 30 to a domestic incident at 10913 SW 30th Street. The home has a Yukon address but is in Oklahoma City limits.
A 17-year-old calling party told police dispatchers he heard gunshots inside the house and his stepdad, Vaughn Cannon, screaming.
When police officers arrived on scene, they took Vaughn Cannon into custody.
Officers located a deceased female – later identified as Jordan Cannon – in the bedroom “with multiple gunshot wounds”, according to the probable cause affidavit.
They saw several firearms inside the house while securing the scene, the document indicates.
FIVE GUNSHOTS
During an interview at Oklahoma City Police headquarters, the 17-year-old reporting party said he did not think his stepdad and mother were home when he went to sleep.
The teen recalled being awoken to “approximately five gunshots” – with Vaughn Cannon screaming from their bedroom, according to the affidavit. That’s when he ran outside and called the police.
Vaughn Cannon was booked at 11:32 a.m. Aug. 30 in the Canadian County Jail. District Judge Khristan K. Strubhar signed an order denying bail.
The defendant advised the judge he was applying for a court-appointed attorney, according to the court order.
If convicted of first-degree murder, Vaughn Cannon could be sentenced to death, life in prison with the possibility of parole or life in prison without parole.
A preliminary hearing conference is set Oct. 9 before Canadian County Special Judge David H. Halley.
