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NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — The man accused of beheading a co-worker at an Oklahoma food processing plant last week could face the death penalty. Alton Nolen was charged today with first-degree murder in the attack, which also wounded a second woman.
A prosecutor says Nolen had been suspended from his job, and that he carried out the attack as he sought revenge.
The FBI is investigating, given Nolen's interest in beheadings and a recent surge in Middle East violence. Nolen had recently converted to Islam — but a prosecutor says it appears the attack was more closely tied to Nolen's suspension.
Prosecutor Greg Mashburn says the company's human resources department had suspended Nolen earlier Thursday after a co-worker complained that she'd had an altercation with Nolen about his alleged dislike of white people.
The prosecutor says Nolen grabbed a knife at home and "returned to get revenge." He attacked Colleen Hufford from behind, severing her head, before then attacking Traci Johnson, the woman who had filed the complaint that led to his suspension. She was repeatedly stabbed but survived.
%@AP Links
192-c-06-(Sean Murphy, AP correspondent)-"the death penalty"-AP correspondent Sean Murphy reports Cleveland County prosecutor Greg Mashburn says he's considering the death penalty in the case. (30 Sep 2014)
<<CUT *192 (09/30/14)££ 00:06 "the death penalty"
191-c-12-(Sean Murphy, AP correspondent)-"finding three co-workers"-AP correspondent Sean Murphy reports Oklahoma workplace beheading suspect Alton Nolen has been charged with first-degree murder and assault. (30 Sep 2014)
<<CUT *191 (09/30/14)££ 00:12 "finding three co-workers"
APPHOTO CER102: FILE -- In this March 25, 2013 file photo provided by The Oklahoma Department of Corrections is Alton Nolen of Moore, 30. Authorities charged Nolen Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014 with first-degree murder in the beheading of a Vaughan Foods plant worker Colleen Hufford. (AP Photo/Oklahoma Department of Corrections) (26 Sep 2014)
<<APPHOTO CER102 (09/26/14)££
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