Fatality in Oklahoma County courtroom raises readiness questions
Heart attack kills witness in court

BY JAY F. MARKS

Published: December 2, 2008

A 67-year-old Checotah man died Monday after a heart attack in an Oklahoma County courtroom.

Attorneys and deputies could not revive John Wilkey after he passed out about 9:20 a.m. in District Judge Twyla Mason Gray’s courtroom. They performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation and hooked him to a defibrillator, but it was not enough to save him, said Mark Myers, county sheriff’s spokesman. Wilkey was in court as a witness.

"The bottom line is he was deceased before he hit the floor,” Myers said. "Everyone did everything they could.”

There were still some lingering questions, however, about what could have been done differently.

District Attorney David Prater, who took over for a fatigued deputy at one point to perform compressions on Wilkey’s chest, said it is important to ensure the courthouse has proper equipment and trained personnel for future medical emergencies.

Some attorneys who were present when Wilkey collapsed said there should be more medical suppliesat the courthouse.

Jim Hughes, an assistant public defender, said a bag valve mask would have allowed those trying to save Wilkey to get air into his lungs while they worked to revive his heart.

Myers said there are three bags at the courthouse with three defibrillators, which are on the first, third and fifth floors.

Court officials said they would like to have such equipment — and the training to use it — on each floor because there are not always deputies available for medical emergencies.

They requested a meeting today with Sheriff John Whetsel to discuss how to deal with such issues.