Stakes go way up in murder case

By Barry Porterfield
Pauls Valley Democrat

The stakes have just gone way up for a Wynnewood man accused of brutally beating an elderly man to death in his own home nearly two years ago.

Prosecutors have filed a single piece of paper that formally seeks the death penalty if Martin High, 42, is found guilty of murdering 84-year-old Glenn Brownlee.

Brownlee was attacked and killed in his Wynnewood residence in late September 2011.

The brutality of Brownlee’s death, caused by being beaten with some type of blunt instrument, led to state officials filing the bill of particulars document in Garvin County District Court asking for the death penalty in this case.

On the other side, defense attorneys have filed a number of motions, including one requesting a hearing on the admissibility of any statements made by High to authorities.

The claim here is the defendant’s statements were “involuntarily and unknowingly” given to police.

It was back on Sept. 29, 2011 when Brownlee’s body was found in his home by local police, who were called to the South Long residence in Wynnewood to check on the man’s welfare.

The body was discovered with what was described as “lots of blood on the floor.”

From the beginning Wynnewood police have said Brownlee died from severe trauma to the head. Robbery is being considered a possible motive in the beating death.

A few weeks later High was arrested on the allegation he used a sledge hammer to batter open the door of another Wynnewood residence.

A formal charge in that case was later dropped and a new one added on the allegation he used a hammer to break out a glass door and enter a Wynnewood store. This second case is still pending against High.

After High’s initial arrest he told authorities he had heard about Brownlee’s death but denied any involvement.

A jury trial in the case is currently scheduled to get started on Sept. 9.

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