New judge in Oklahoma City pharmacist's murder trial experienced, no nonsense

Ray C. Elliott last year sentenced a shoplifter to life in prison after learning she had an almost 30-year record for thefts. "It's past time to say, 'Enough is enough,'" he said at the sentencing.

Elliott, 58, has been an Oklahoma County district judge for almost 12 years. He handles only criminal cases. He was a prosecutor for more than 18 years before that, mostly as an assistant for then-District Attorney Bob Macy. Elliott has never been a defense attorney.

He and his wife, a longtime prosecutor, live in Oklahoma City.

He also is a big fan of the New York Yankees and of local hockey teams.

The judge has handled a few high-profile cases, including the trial of Dr. John Baxter Hamilton. The Oklahoma City physician was convicted of murdering his wife on Valentine's Day 2001.

The judge told attorneys Tuesday he is considering starting the pharmacist's trial as scheduled Sept. 13. He said he is considering selecting a jury that week then resuming the trial Oct. 4. The judge has a conflict in his schedule that will keep him from doing the trial the last two weeks in September.

Defense attorneys said Tuesday they will ask the judge to disqualify District Attorney David Prater from the case, a move that could scuttle starting the trial on time.