Phillip Dean Hancock
Serial Killer Execution Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
TIME PERIOD
1982-2001
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
Phillip Dean Hancock, an American convicted serial killer, was executed by lethal injection on November 30, 2023, at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. Hancock's criminal history includes the 1982 manslaughter of Charles Lester Warren, which he claimed was in self-defense, for which he received a four-year sentence. Nineteen years later, in 2001, he was convicted of the double murder of James Vincent Lynch III and Robert Lee Jett Jr., again asserting self-defense, but was sentenced to death for these crimes. Throughout his incarceration, Hancock maintained his innocence regarding the murders, but all appeals were exhausted prior to his execution. Key evidence in the case included ballistic reports and witness testimonies that contradicted Hancock's self-defense claims.
Some believe that Phillip Dean Hancock's claims of self-defense in his killings may have been a cover for his violent tendencies, given his history of drug-related disputes and prior manslaughter conviction. Others speculate that his long gap between the first and second murders indicates a potential escalation in his criminal behavior, suggesting he may have been emboldened over time. Additionally, there are theories that his execution could spark discussions on the effectiveness of self-defense laws in cases involving repeat offenders.
A Life of Crime: The Story of Phillip Dean Hancock
A Troubled Beginning
Phillip Dean Hancock's life began on February 15, 1964, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. As the elder of two sons, Hancock faced adversity early. His younger brother was born with cerebral palsy, a condition that left Phillip as his protector, often defending him from bullies. Their family life was tumultuous, marred by an abusive father, which drove their mother to flee the family home at one point. Despite this chaotic upbringing, Hancock found solace in the Methodist church, though he often strayed to nearby car salvage lots where he smoked marijuana and cigarettes with other children.
The First Murder: Charles Warren (1982)
The path from troubled youth to convicted killer began on May 26, 1982, in an Oklahoma City park. At just 18, Hancock fatally shot 27-year-old Charles Lester Warren, a known drug dealer. The confrontation was rooted in a missing ring, leading to a verbal altercation that escalated quickly. Witness Patrick Michael O'Brien recalled seeing Warren slap Hancock, prompting Hancock to declare his intent to retaliate. Despite warnings from O'Brien about the stupidity of such an action amidst a crowd, Hancock's fear and anger culminated in violence. Armed with Kenneth Ray Hulsey's .22-caliber rifle, Hancock fired at Warren, striking him five times. Warren died from his wounds, and two bystanders, Karen Barber and William J. Orr, were injured in the chaos.
Hancock surrendered to authorities the following day and faced charges of first-degree murder and shooting with intent to kill. His trial commenced in October 1982, where he claimed self-defense against Warren's threats. The jury, swayed by this defense, reduced the charge to first-degree manslaughter, resulting in a four-year sentence. Hancock served less than three years before being released on parole.
Double Murder: Robert Jett Jr. and James Lynch (2001)
Nearly two decades later, on April 27, 2001, Hancock's violent past resurfaced in a brutal double murder. In Oklahoma City, Hancock visited the home of Robert Lee Jett Jr., a drug supplier to Hancock’s girlfriend. A heated argument erupted over cigarettes, leading to a deadly encounter. Jett, along with his friend James Vincent Lynch III, was present when Hancock, in a fit of rage, overpowered Jett, seized his pistol, and shot both men. Eyewitness Shawn "Smokey" Tarp, who sought refuge in a bedroom, later recounted seeing Hancock chase down Jett, finishing him off in the backyard after he fell to the ground.
Despite a police sketch and the ensuing investigation, Hancock eluded capture for a year. It wasn't until March 26, 2002, that he was arrested for unrelated firearm and drug charges, which led to his incarceration. Forensic evidence soon linked him to the double murder, and on June 28, 2002, he was charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
In court, Hancock once again claimed self-defense, alleging the victims were gang members intent on harming him. However, the jury found him guilty, and on September 30, 2004, recommended the death penalty. Judge Susan P. Caswell formally sentenced Hancock to death on October 25, 2004.
Life on Death Row
The subsequent years saw Hancock confined to death row in Oklahoma. His appeals were systematically dismissed, including a final rejection by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2016. As one of 26 inmates eligible for execution by 2020, Hancock became part of a lawsuit challenging Oklahoma's execution protocol. This, too, failed in June 2022 when the courts upheld the legality of the death penalty.
Hancock's legal team pursued post-conviction DNA testing to substantiate his self-defense claims, but their efforts were unsuccessful. In August 2022, a death warrant set his execution for May 4, 2023, later rescheduled to November 30, 2023.
The Final Days and Execution
A clemency hearing on November 8, 2023, offered a glimmer of hope. Hancock's lawyers argued for a commutation to life imprisonment without parole, reiterating the self-defense narrative. Despite opposition from the victims' families and Assistant Attorney General Joshua Lockett, the parole board voted three to two in favor of clemency. However, the ultimate decision rested with Governor Kevin Stitt.
Governor Stitt, known for rejecting clemency in similar cases, announced on the day of Hancock's scheduled execution that he would not grant clemency. At 59, Phillip Dean Hancock was executed by lethal injection on November 30, 2023, at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. His final words were a mix of gratitude to his lawyers and a continued insistence on his innocence.
Aftermath
Hancock's execution marked the end of a tumultuous chapter in Oklahoma's criminal history, being the fourth and final execution in the state for 2023. As the last execution in the U.S. that year, his death stirred debate among death penalty opponents and supporters alike. Governor Stitt defended his decision, citing the gravity of Hancock's crimes, while Hancock's legal team lamented the missed opportunity for clemency. The victims' families expressed relief that justice had finally been served.
Sources: Wikipedia
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First Murder Committed
Phillip Hancock kills drug trafficker Charles Warren in Oklahoma City.
Manslaughter Verdict
Hancock found guilty of first degree manslaughter for Warren's murder, sentenced to four years.
Double Murder Occurs
Hancock murders Robert Lee Jett Jr. and James Vincent Lynch III in a drug-related dispute.
Murder Charges Filed
Hancock charged with two counts of first degree murder after forensic evidence links him to the double murder.
Guilty Verdict
Oklahoma County jury finds Hancock guilty of two counts of first degree murder, recommends death penalty.
Sentenced to Death
Hancock formally sentenced to death for the murders of Jett and Lynch.
Clemency Hearing
Oklahoma Parole Board recommends clemency for Hancock, suggesting his death sentence be commuted.
Execution
Phillip Hancock executed by lethal injection after clemency plea rejected by Governor Stitt.
Phillip Dean Hancock, an American convicted serial killer, was executed by lethal injection on November 30, 2023, at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. Hancock's criminal history includes the 1982 manslaughter of Charles Lester Warren, which he claimed was in self-defense, for which he received a four-year sentence. Nineteen years later, in 2001, he was convicted of the double murder of James Vincent Lynch III and Robert Lee Jett Jr., again asserting self-defense, but was sentenced to death for these crimes. Throughout his incarceration, Hancock maintained his innocence regarding the murders, but all appeals were exhausted prior to his execution. Key evidence in the case included ballistic reports and witness testimonies that contradicted Hancock's self-defense claims.
Some believe that Phillip Dean Hancock's claims of self-defense in his killings may have been a cover for his violent tendencies, given his history of drug-related disputes and prior manslaughter conviction. Others speculate that his long gap between the first and second murders indicates a potential escalation in his criminal behavior, suggesting he may have been emboldened over time. Additionally, there are theories that his execution could spark discussions on the effectiveness of self-defense laws in cases involving repeat offenders.
A Life of Crime: The Story of Phillip Dean Hancock
A Troubled Beginning
Phillip Dean Hancock's life began on February 15, 1964, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. As the elder of two sons, Hancock faced adversity early. His younger brother was born with cerebral palsy, a condition that left Phillip as his protector, often defending him from bullies. Their family life was tumultuous, marred by an abusive father, which drove their mother to flee the family home at one point. Despite this chaotic upbringing, Hancock found solace in the Methodist church, though he often strayed to nearby car salvage lots where he smoked marijuana and cigarettes with other children.
The First Murder: Charles Warren (1982)
The path from troubled youth to convicted killer began on May 26, 1982, in an Oklahoma City park. At just 18, Hancock fatally shot 27-year-old Charles Lester Warren, a known drug dealer. The confrontation was rooted in a missing ring, leading to a verbal altercation that escalated quickly. Witness Patrick Michael O'Brien recalled seeing Warren slap Hancock, prompting Hancock to declare his intent to retaliate. Despite warnings from O'Brien about the stupidity of such an action amidst a crowd, Hancock's fear and anger culminated in violence. Armed with Kenneth Ray Hulsey's .22-caliber rifle, Hancock fired at Warren, striking him five times. Warren died from his wounds, and two bystanders, Karen Barber and William J. Orr, were injured in the chaos.
Hancock surrendered to authorities the following day and faced charges of first-degree murder and shooting with intent to kill. His trial commenced in October 1982, where he claimed self-defense against Warren's threats. The jury, swayed by this defense, reduced the charge to first-degree manslaughter, resulting in a four-year sentence. Hancock served less than three years before being released on parole.
Double Murder: Robert Jett Jr. and James Lynch (2001)
Nearly two decades later, on April 27, 2001, Hancock's violent past resurfaced in a brutal double murder. In Oklahoma City, Hancock visited the home of Robert Lee Jett Jr., a drug supplier to Hancock’s girlfriend. A heated argument erupted over cigarettes, leading to a deadly encounter. Jett, along with his friend James Vincent Lynch III, was present when Hancock, in a fit of rage, overpowered Jett, seized his pistol, and shot both men. Eyewitness Shawn "Smokey" Tarp, who sought refuge in a bedroom, later recounted seeing Hancock chase down Jett, finishing him off in the backyard after he fell to the ground.
Despite a police sketch and the ensuing investigation, Hancock eluded capture for a year. It wasn't until March 26, 2002, that he was arrested for unrelated firearm and drug charges, which led to his incarceration. Forensic evidence soon linked him to the double murder, and on June 28, 2002, he was charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
In court, Hancock once again claimed self-defense, alleging the victims were gang members intent on harming him. However, the jury found him guilty, and on September 30, 2004, recommended the death penalty. Judge Susan P. Caswell formally sentenced Hancock to death on October 25, 2004.
Life on Death Row
The subsequent years saw Hancock confined to death row in Oklahoma. His appeals were systematically dismissed, including a final rejection by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2016. As one of 26 inmates eligible for execution by 2020, Hancock became part of a lawsuit challenging Oklahoma's execution protocol. This, too, failed in June 2022 when the courts upheld the legality of the death penalty.
Hancock's legal team pursued post-conviction DNA testing to substantiate his self-defense claims, but their efforts were unsuccessful. In August 2022, a death warrant set his execution for May 4, 2023, later rescheduled to November 30, 2023.
The Final Days and Execution
A clemency hearing on November 8, 2023, offered a glimmer of hope. Hancock's lawyers argued for a commutation to life imprisonment without parole, reiterating the self-defense narrative. Despite opposition from the victims' families and Assistant Attorney General Joshua Lockett, the parole board voted three to two in favor of clemency. However, the ultimate decision rested with Governor Kevin Stitt.
Governor Stitt, known for rejecting clemency in similar cases, announced on the day of Hancock's scheduled execution that he would not grant clemency. At 59, Phillip Dean Hancock was executed by lethal injection on November 30, 2023, at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. His final words were a mix of gratitude to his lawyers and a continued insistence on his innocence.
Aftermath
Hancock's execution marked the end of a tumultuous chapter in Oklahoma's criminal history, being the fourth and final execution in the state for 2023. As the last execution in the U.S. that year, his death stirred debate among death penalty opponents and supporters alike. Governor Stitt defended his decision, citing the gravity of Hancock's crimes, while Hancock's legal team lamented the missed opportunity for clemency. The victims' families expressed relief that justice had finally been served.
Sources: Wikipedia
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
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First Murder Committed
Phillip Hancock kills drug trafficker Charles Warren in Oklahoma City.
Manslaughter Verdict
Hancock found guilty of first degree manslaughter for Warren's murder, sentenced to four years.
Double Murder Occurs
Hancock murders Robert Lee Jett Jr. and James Vincent Lynch III in a drug-related dispute.
Murder Charges Filed
Hancock charged with two counts of first degree murder after forensic evidence links him to the double murder.
Guilty Verdict
Oklahoma County jury finds Hancock guilty of two counts of first degree murder, recommends death penalty.
Sentenced to Death
Hancock formally sentenced to death for the murders of Jett and Lynch.
Clemency Hearing
Oklahoma Parole Board recommends clemency for Hancock, suggesting his death sentence be commuted.
Execution
Phillip Hancock executed by lethal injection after clemency plea rejected by Governor Stitt.