Man to stand trial in kidnapping attempt

BY JAY F. MARKS

Published: October 9, 2008

An 84-year-old sex offender is facing trial in the attempted July 12 abduction of an 11-year-old boy.

Melvin M. Whitson is accused of trying to force the boy into a minivan near NW 12 and Shawnee.

The boy testified that he kicked Whitson in the groin after the man grabbed his wrist while the boy was walking home from a friend’s house.

An Oklahoma County judge ruled there was sufficient evidence to hold Whitson for trial on a felony count of attempted kidnapping.

Whitson was convicted in 1993 of two counts of lewd acts with a child.