Katrina Griffin and her children; Christian Griffin and Chasity Hammer




Shaun Michael Bosse


Bosse trial begins

More than 300 prospective jurors are expected to report Friday morning to the Farm & Home Community Center in Purcell to complete paperwork in preparation for the upcoming murder and arson trial of Shaun M. Bosse of Blanchard.

Bosse, 29, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree arson in the July 23, 2010 deaths of his girlfriend and her two children.

Prosecutors believe Bosse killed the family to cover up the fact that he was the one who had stolen the items. The state is seeking the death penalty.

The victims were Katrina Griffin, 24; her 8-year-old son Christian Griffin and 6-year-old daughter Chasity Hammer.

Mother and son were stabbed numerous times before their home was set on fire. The killer had put Chasity Hammer in a closet, wedging a chair under the doorknob to prevent her escape. She died of smoke inhalation and burns.

According to an Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation agent’s affidavit, Griffin called the McClain County Sheriff’s Department late on July 22 to report the theft of several items from her home in the Dibble area.

Bosse was also at the house when a deputy took the report.

Less than 9-1/2 hours later, the Dibble and Washington Fire Departments responded to the address when a neighbor noticed the house was on fire. The firefighters discovered the three bodies in the rubble.

Later that day, investigators located Bosse at Oklahoma City Community College.

Subsequently, authorities uncovered evidence that showed Bosse had visited several pawn shops in Oklahoma City on the morning of July 23, selling items later identified as Griffin’s, according to the affidavit.

Blood was found on clothing and shoes belonging to Bosse.

Bosse was charged on Aug. 6, 2010. On June 26, 2011, he escaped from the McClain County Jail by overpowering two detention officers and stealing a car belonging to one of them.

He was recaptured following a manhunt.

In filing a bill of particulars to seek the death sentence, prosecutors wrote that none of the victims died quickly or easily.

Chasity Hammer, in particular, “was likely conscious and awre of her struggle to breathe and impending death,” prosecutors wrote. “She also likely heard the continuing struggle and death of her mother Katrina Griffin and brother Christian Griffin with Bosse wile she was trapped in the closet....

“All three victims were subjected to great physical anguish and extreme mental cruelty. They likely witnessed the other victims get stabbed. This anticipation of death caused by the knowledge that others had been stabbed is further evidence of extreme mental cruelty.”

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