Tulsa Teen Charged In Rape, Killing, Was Recently Freed From Juvenile Court: Report

TULSA, OK — Deonte Green, 16, of Tulsa, was freed from juvenile court less than two weeks before he allegedly raped an 81-year-old woman and shot a middle school teacher to death hours later, according to a new report. Green was released on probation by a Tulsa County judge less than two weeks earlier even though a prosecutor expressed concerns that he would "hurt or kill a homeowner," the Tulsa World reported.

Green didn't meet the criteria for a prosecutorial request that he be placed into the custody of the state Office of Juvenile Affairs, Special Judge Bill Hiddle said .

He faced several juvenile charges related to home break-ins. Green's pending charges were no different than other youths and did not raise a "red flag," said Ivan Orndorff, chairman of the Tulsa County Bar Association's Juvenile Section. (For more information on Green's case and other Tulsa stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

The juvenile system is designed to be "therapeutic and rehabilitative," not punitive like adult courts, he said.

Assistant District Attorney Julianne Burton said she argued during Green's hearing on Sept. 20 that he be detained until he could be placed at a juvenile facility rather than released back into the public.

"One of my main concerns about Deonte was that he continued to break into people's homes and, not steal televisions or game consoles, but instead always zeroed in on firearms," Burton wrote. "I argued that Deonte was either going to be shot by a homeowner rightfully protecting their home and family or that he was going to hurt or kill a homeowner he came across."

Middle school geography teacher Shane Anderson was fatally shot in front of his wife and daughters on Oct. 1 in his home during a scuffle with a would-be robber.

Police say that earlier that afternoon, Green allegedly raped an 81-year-old woman after forcing her and her elderly husband to drive him to an ATM and withdraw cash.

Photo credit: Pixabay