TULSA, Okla. — On day two of Chris Morland's trial, a former inmate, Dane King, delivered testimony claiming Morland had confessed to killing Cassidy Ritchie.
On the third day of trial, the jury found Morland guilty of first-degree murder.
The jury recommended a sentence of life without parole. The judge accepted the recommendation and sentenced Morland on Oct. 20
WATCH: Tulsa jury finds man guilty of murdering his wife Cassidy Ritchie:
Morland is accused of killing his wife, 39-year-old Cassidy Ritchie, in January 2024, and leaving her body in the back of her car for days while her family thought she was missing.
WATCH: Day 2: State, defense rest cases in Morland's murder trial:
The inmate testified that Morland said, "She wouldn't shut the [expletive] up, so I shut her the [expletive] up,” in November of 2024 while the two were on a smoke break.
King and Tulsa Police denied making any deal in exchange for his testimony.
However, the defense challenged his credibility, claiming the inmate was friends with Ritchie before her death.
Local News
Day 1 of Chris Morland's trial began for the murder of Cassidy Ritchie
In other testimony, State Medical Examiner Dr. Taylor Doane painted a disturbing picture of the violence Ritchie endured before her death.
The examination revealed 55 separate injuries, including broken ribs, extensive bruising, bleeding on the brain, a collapsed left lung from a fractured rib, and internal bleeding from a broken spleen.
The graphic details proved difficult for Ritchie's family members, particularly her son Joey David, who was present in the courtroom.
"I didn't want to see my mother like that. I don't want to have that as my memory of her," he said. "And for me, I was just in there. I didn't look at any pictures. I just have my head down and listen to it. So, I just want to see any of it,” David said.
Other family members, including Ritchie's brother Kyle Ritchie, became visibly emotional as autopsy photos were displayed to the jury.
"She had to suffer through that. So, you know, as her brother, you know, family will suffer through this for her. Stand strong for her," Ritchie said.
The prosecution concluded its case after calling 11 witnesses to testify. Many witnesses remembered Cassidy as a vibrant person full of life, providing some comfort to her grieving family.
"It feels great, you know, I mean, everybody knows she was the best person that you could be. Everybody knew, or if you didn't know her that well, you still knew of her, and you still knew that she was a great person," David said.
Local News
ONE YEAR LATER: Tulsa woman's family wants justice after her death
During cross-examination, the defense argued that some of Ritchie's injuries could have resulted from a car crash, or even CPR, rather than an assault. They also questioned whether wounds characterized as defensive were more offensive in nature.
By late morning, both sides had rested their cases. The defense chose not to call any witnesses to testify on Morland's behalf.
Despite the emotional toll of the proceedings, Ritchie's family members expressed confidence in the jury's eventual decision.
"I feel very confident that the jury will go in our favor, hopefully. So, I'm feeling good about it," David said.
Kyle Ritchie echoed that sentiment, saying, "I think everything went exactly how you would want it to go…I think the turnout is going to be exactly what we all want."
On October 16, the jury ruled in Ritchie's favor, deciding to sentence Chris Morland with first degree murder and life without parole.
While Cassidy's family was happy to hear the verdict, it was also a solemn reminder of everything that has taken place.
“We don't have my daughter," said Cheryl Ritchie. "If you want to call that justice, that's fine, but our daughter's-my daughter's gone, his mother's gone, his sister's gone, their mother's gone. That's not justice.”
District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler asked the jury to consider Moreland’s two prior felony convictions for assault and battery and also first degree burglary when they deliberated his sentence.
“It's not like this is the first crime this guy ever committed," said Kunzweiler. "He's got a terrible rap sheet to include violent crimes, breaking into people's homes and involved in violent crime that resulted in injury to other people.”
The defense asked the jury to consider the fact that Moreland took accountability for his crime and admitted he did it.
His defense attorney also reminded the jury that he wouldn’t be eligible for parole until he was 88 years old.
The majority didn't agree with this argument.
“This is the first time I’ve tried a case where somebody literally beat another human being to death with their hands," said Kunzweiler. "Mr. Morland deserves every single ounce of the life without the possibility of parole punishment.”
"Of course, he should never be free again," said Cheryl Ritchie. "She doesn't get to be here, he shouldn't get to be here."
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere --
- 2 News Oklahoma on your schedule | Download on your TV, watch for free. How to watch on your streaming device
- Download our free app for Apple, Android and Kindle devices.
- Like us on Facebook
- Follow us on Instagram
- Watch LIVE 24/7 on YouTube
