Viewer discretion advised: The video of Justin Benner’s death finally closed the Tulsa Municipal Jail
In the first issue of the Collington Index on March 31, I shared the incredible exclusive investigation by The Frontier’s Garrett Yalch about what he found: At least seven people had died over the past three years in the city’s jail. After seeing the story, Mayor Monroe Nichols announced a review of the jail’s operations.
But then nothing happened.
That is except lawsuits filed by families, a national watchdog group announcing its own investigation, and the Tulsa Police refusing to release reports and videos that are clearly open records.
After the city finally released the video capturing what happened to Benner to The Frontier, the mayor announced the jail would close and inmates would be moved quickly to the county jail.
The video is horrific. It shows multiple people paid to protect Benner didn’t.
I will reprint the warning The Frontier placed on it.
Viewer discretion advised: This video contains body camera footage and scenes that some viewers may find disturbing. It is presented because it is central to understanding the circumstances surrounding Justin Benner’s death and The Frontier’s reporting on the Tulsa Municipal Jail.
The Tulsa World’s Corey Jones followed up Sunday with an investigation weeks in the making, which for the first time presented new information, thanks to original reporting, receiving open records and whistleblower reports that make you shake your head and ask why.
Here is all the reporting in one place if you want to go in depth on a facility overseen by the Tulsa Police Department.
The Frontier:
- Tulsa is shutting down its city jail after Frontier investigation into deaths
- Tulsa police took him to the city jail instead of a hospital. He was dead within an hour.
- Lawsuit over Tulsa city jail death alleges officials ignored years of warnings about medical care
- After deaths at Tulsa Municipal Jail, a wrongful death lawsuit targets the private contractor
- Disability rights watchdog opens probe into Tulsa city jail after Frontier investigation
- At the Tulsa city jail, preventable deaths and hidden records
- They were arrested for misdemeanors. Then they died in Tulsa’s city jail.
Tulsa World:
- Mayor orders closure of Tulsa’s municipal lockup
- Tulsa’s city jail doubled inmate capacity but not staffing. Then 7 people died in 3 years.
- How we got here: The city opened its own jail after feud with county about costs
The most expensive school in Tulsa without teachers but plenty of AI
Oklahoma Watch’s Maya Henry with a story that involves a billionaire, AI, a school with no educators and videos of photos of students taken as they learn. And it costs double the most expensive private school in the state. One parent interviewed said she’s willing to pay it.
Tulsa’s Houston problem might mean a Williams-sized hole in our heart
Tulsa-based Williams might become the latest energy giant to head to Houston. The Houston Chronicle reported that the energy company purchased a 64-story skyscraper known as the Williams Tower. The Tulsa World’s Kevin Canfield quoted a Williams executive in his story that the company would hire 100 more in Houston by the end of the year because “we do see ourselves growing in the Houston market.”
This move comes just after the company’s new CEO said he would improve its headquarters in downtown Tulsa, which is home to 1,300 people. I quoted him in the June 23 Collington Index when he said this: “You should be headquartered in a city because that is the very best place for you to do your business. That’s our responsibility as a company. And, you know … that’s not trying to be mean; that’s just the reality.”
Oklahoma Sen. Alan Armstrong violated STOCK Act with 700 tardy stock disclosures
Speaking of Williams, its former CEO who is now harming the seat left by Markwayne Mullin in the U.S. Senate, missed a deadline by about two months on his stock deals. Dave Levinthal with NOTUS in partnership with Oklahoma Watch has the details.
Quotable quotes
“The Southeastern Conference and the Big Ten and even the Big 12 raid the American the way Attila the Hun attacked the Balkans.”
– The Tulsa World’s Sports Columnist Berry Tramel about the American Conference in college sports, which includes TU.
“Just because we’re older and live in assisted living doesn’t mean that we should have fewer freedoms than anyone else.”
– Anita LeBrun, an 82-year-old Minnesota grandmother who fought an alcohol ban at assisted living centers and helped pass a “happy hour” amendment that now allows it.
“If supporting independent journalism is now considered controversial, here’s today’s receipt.”
– Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who is running for governor, quoted in Oklahoma Politics Today. His opponent’s campaign found that Drummond had donated $500 to Oklahoma Watch, which is quoted a lot in the Index and published by newspapers across the state. Mike Mazzei didn’t seem to like the nonprofit news organization’s story about him being absent at most of the police pension board meetings, where he is a member. Mazzei’s campaign suggested such a donation meant Oklahoma Watch was not a reliable source of news. Let me assure you, it is. Drummond’s response? Donating another $500 to Oklahoma Watch.
“The No. 1 loss for businesses is now cybersecurity. It’s not flood or fire or theft — any of that other stuff.”
– David Keely, executive director of the Oklahoma Cyber Innovation Institute at the University of Tulsa, in a Tulsa World story by Michael Dekker. Keely mentions there are about 2,200 cyberattacks daily in the world.
“We have to be the headlight on this one — not the taillight.”
– Tvkvpvtce District Representative Anna Marshall to the Tulsa World’s Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton about the Muscogee Nation’s legislative branch opposing the proposed aluminum smelter near Inola, which is on the nation’s reservation.
“It’s great that the city is resolving these things … but the need to have something like this really highlights how much of the criminal legal system is built on extracting funds out of really poor people.”
– Stephen Galoob, a law professor at the University of Tulsa, to The Oklahoma Eagle’s Ismael Lele about the 129,579 outstanding warrants of Tulsans with $5.8 million owed in fines, which the city is offering a chance for them to be cleared without the fear of being arrested on July 31.
Sen. Lankford hears from a personal friend on live TV: ‘You’re bungling everything’
The following dialogue on television between Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford and Fox Business host Larry Kudlow — one of Donald Trump’s first-term economic advisers:
Kudlow: “Right now, you, the leadership in both houses, are bungling everything, sir. I say that with all due respect, and we are personal friends. It’s not for, but you’re bungling everything. Nothing is getting done. Your messaging is nonexistent. You’ve lost your swag, your swagger, your rizz, or whatever the young people say – no one knows what the heck you’re doing, sir. They have no idea.”
Lankford: Yeah, you’re welcome. And this is part of the challenge we’ve got with all of our media friends out there that continue to be able to beat up on Republicans and say Republicans are all the problem. But apparently, the socialist Democrats in New York City, they seem to be perfect because most conservative media right now is beating up on Republicans and just ignoring the socialists who are running rampant all over the country.
Kudlow: Ah, Jim.
Lankford: So I look back on what happened with the one big beautiful bill.
Kudlow: “Come on.”
Lankford: “I look at the housing bill we just passed. There’s a lot of things that are going on that are good, and I understand.”
Kudlow: “Nobody has attacked (New York Mayor) Madami more than I have. For heaven’s sake.”
Lankford: “I wasn’t saying that just about you. I was saying this.”
Kudlow: “That isn’t the point.”
Lankford: “This is the challenge that we’re up against.”
Kudlow: “What is it that your policy is, Senator Lankford, my friend? What is your policy? Where are the tax cuts? Where are the spending cuts? Where’s the waste, fraud, and corruption reduction? Where is all of that? Where is the reconciliation bill? Where’s the straight talk and messaging for the midterms? Where’s the growth messaging? Where’s that we’re going to make it better for taxpayers and working folks messaging? Come on, Senator.”
A governor endorsement was deleted while another one was broadcasted
While the candidates for governor collect endorsements leading up to the Aug. 25 run-off election, two caught my eye. One was by Rep. Danny Williams, a Republican from Seminole, for Mike Mazzei. That announcement was deleted by Mazzei’s campaign after Williams was placed under investigation for undisclosed allegations of improper behavior, first reported by NonDoc. The second was by House Majority Leader Mark Lawson, a Republican from Sapulpa, in support of Drummond. Lawson then published a video explaining how Mazzei’s tax reforms don’t add up.
Thanks for reading. Forward to those who need to know what’s up.
There is no cavalry.
It’s up to us.
All together now. jc
P.S. If you live in Tulsa, do you know who you want to be your next city councilor?
In light of the deaths at the Tulsa jail, a reminder that the city council is the best way for you and your neighbors to get answers about what is happening on your behalf in the government.
Tulsans in most districts will vote Aug. 25 on who their next councilor will be.
Here is coverage of the first forum by the Tulsa Press Club, Tulsa World and Tulsa Flyer and the schedule for the rest of them.
District 3:
Tulsa Flyer: Tulsa City Council District 3 candidates answer voter questions about public safety, economic development and more
Tulsa World: District 3 City Council candidates answer constituent questions in Tulsa Press Club forum
Aug. 3, 6:30-7:30 p.m.: District 7 incumbent Lori Decter Wright, Dave Perry and Kenny Wogoman, Frossard Auditorium at the Hardesty Library, 8316 E. 93rd St.
Aug. 6, 6-7 p.m.: District 2 incumbent Anthony Archie and Aaron Bisogno, University Village Theater, 8555 S. Lewis Ave.
Aug. 10, 6-7 p.m.: District 9 candidates Ben Johnson, Pete Regan and Shawn Tiemann, Community Brookside, 1307 E. 38th St.
The University of Tulsa’s Office of Civic Engagement, the Tulsa Press Club, Tulsa Flyer and Oklahoma Watch present Candidate Conversations on Aug. 11.
We have invited candidates Gentner Drummond, Mike Mazzei, Robert Franklin and James Taylor to share their visions for Oklahoma and to take questions from local journalists on the biggest issues in the state.
5:30 p.m.: Meet and greet the candidates.
6-6:45 p.m.: Governor candidates answer questions.
6:45-7:30 p.m.: Superintendent candidates answer questions.
The Collington Index is a free weekly news summary written by Jason Collington that explains quickly what’s important and interesting, shared in weekly wraps, popular lists, conversations and cheat sheets. Skim or go deep. A movement toward truth and understanding in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Subscribe for free on Substack to get an email newsletter each Tuesday morning. See the archive at collingtonindex.com.
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