Timeline of the Investigation against DANIEL Holtzclaw
(Last Updated 11/14/2019)
Below is the official timeline surrounding the accusations, investigation, trial and appeal of former Oklahoma City police officer Daniel Holtzclaw.
KEY: DH = Daniel Holtzclaw
05/2005
DH graduated from Enid High School in Enid, Oklahoma.
[Covered in Episode 04]
05/2010
DH graduated from Eastern Michigan Univ. with a Bachelor of Science (Criminal Justice).
[Covered in Episode 04]
09/16/2011
DH official hire date for OCPD.
[Covered in Episode 04]
08/27/2012
DH informed that he had successfully completed the Field Training Officer Program.
[Covered in Episode 04]
08/31/2012
DH starts working 2nd shift at the Springlake Division.
[Covered in Episode 04]
04/11/2013
DH issued a 2002 Ford Crown Victoria take-home vehicle (older style, black & white)
[Covered in Episode 04]
04/12/2013
DH successfully completes his OCPD probationary period.
[Covered in Episode 04]
05/01/2013
DH, along with other officers, was involved in an on-duty use of force incident resulting in the no-fault death of 38-year-old Clifton Armstrong. Medical examiner ruled Armstrong’s death an accident attributed to Excited Syndrome due to methamphetamine toxicity.
[Oklahoman Newspaper: 5/2/2013 ‘Man dies after Oklahoma City police, family try to subdue him’]
[Covered in Episode 04]
05/02/2013
DH placed on administrative leave as a result of an “on-duty incident.” (See 5/1/2013)
[Covered in Episode 04]
05/03/2013
DH taken off of administrative leave.
[Covered in Episode 04]
05/10/2013
DH transferred to the OCPD Gang Enforcement Unit.
[Covered in Episode 04]
09/12/2013
Anticipated end date for Holtzclaw’s assignment with Gang Enforcement Unit. (unverified end date)
[Covered in Episode 04]
09/19/2013
KFOR Ch4: ‘Man arrested after allegedly attacking officer [Holzclaw], trying to grab gun.’
11/05/2013
Demetria Campbell sexual assault allegation. No criminal charges filed.
Civil case filed on 07/31/2015 (OSCN link).
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
12/20/2013
Shardayreon Hill – Arrested for PCP distribution & transported to SWMC on overdose. (Counts 21-25)
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
12/23/2013
DH issued a Ford Police Interceptor patrol take-home vehicle (newest style, all black with white letters)
[Covered in Episode 04]
01/08/2014
DH and three other officers are named in a wrongful death lawsuit filed in Oklahoma County. (OSCN link)
[Oklahoman Newspaper: 4/5/2014 ‘Wrongful death lawsuit filed in death of man restrained by police.’]
01/08/2014
DH friends accuser Shardayreon Hill on Facebook.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
01/09/2014
DH goes over to Shardayreon Hill’s residence off duty. Count 26.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
02/2014 various
DH Facebook messages & attempts to call Shardayreon Hill.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
02/26/2014
DH runs Tabithia Barnes in computer.
[Allegations covered in episodes 11 - 12 - 13]
02/27/2014
OCPD Chief Bill Citty emails ‘Chief’s Directive 14-1’ to all department personnel directing them to no longer turn off their patrol car radios, MDC and AVL (GPS) systems when off-duty.
02/27/2014
12:07am – Tabithia Barnes – Count 1.
[Allegations covered in episodes 11 - 12 - 13]
02/27/2014
10:14pm – Tabithia Barnes reports burglary at her residence. DH & several officers respond. Barnes makes no mention of alleged assault early that morning.
[Allegations covered in episodes 11 - 12 - 13]
02/28/2014
OCPD Wilkey did followup meeting with Tabitha Barnes via phone regarding burglary the day before. Spoke with Tabitha Barnes (no mention of inappropriate behavior).
[Allegations covered in episodes 11 - 12 - 13]
03/12/2014
Shaneice Barksdale claims to have been assaulted by DH. Later deemed a false accusation and she was charged with making a false report.
[Allegations covered in episode 18]]
03/14/2014
11:19pm – Carla Raines – Count 2
[Allegations covered in episodes 15 and 16]
3/25/2014
DH stops Florene Mathis at NE 15th & Jordan Ave. at 4:50pm. No allegation of assault.
[Allegations covered in episode 10]
DH stops and runs Carla Johnson through computer. No allegation of assault.
[Allegations covered in episode 14]
Tabithia Barnes – Counts 3-5
[Allegations covered in episodes 11 - 12 - 13]
03/26/2014
4:30pm – Tabithia Barnes – Count 6.
[Allegations covered in episodes 11 - 12 - 13]
04/08/2014
DH runs Terry Williams through computer (Tabitha Barnes Related: Boyfriend)
[Allegations covered in episodes 11 - 12 - 13]
04/09/2014
DH runs Kala Lyles through computer.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
04/14/2014
6:30pm – Florene Mathis – Count 7.
[Allegations covered in episode 10]
04/24/2014
Rosetta Grate – Counts 8 & 9.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
04/25/2014
Regina Copeland – Count 29.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
05/06/2014
DH runs Kala Lyles through computer.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
05/07/2014
Sherry Ellis – Counts 10, 11, 33, & 34.
[Covered in podcast episodes 8 and 9]
05/08/2014
Terry Morris – Counts 12, 35, & 36.
[Allegations covered in podcast episodes 5 and 6]
05/21/2014
Syrita Bowen – Counts 27 & 28.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
5/22/2014
Syrita Bowen claims DH stopped her and Leonard Cribbs at 3pm.
05/24/2014
Terry Morris, during a heated public domestic, makes allegations to police of sexual assault, which later become counts 35 & 36.
[Allegations covered in podcast episodes 5 and 6]
05/26/2014
Carla Johnson – Counts 13 & 14.
[Allegations covered in episode 14]
05/27/2014
OCPD Det. Rocky Gregory assigned to follow-up on Terri Morris complaint.
[Allegations covered in episodes 5 & 6]
06/03/2014
Detective Rocky Gregory first interviews accuser Terri Lynn Morris. (video recorded)
[Allegations covered in podcast episodes 5 and 6]
06/17/2014
Amanda Gates files a missing persons report and assault and battery complaint against her 17yr old daughter Adaira Gardner.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
DH stops Adaira Gardner and a suspected pimp and prostitute because they are in a heated public argument.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
DH stops Adaira again a few hours later, while on patrol.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
Adaira Gardner – Counts 30-32.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
DH runs Amanda Gates through computer.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
11:42pm – DH calls Amanda Gates on her cell phone at home. Gates hangs up on DH within seconds.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
DH runs Kala Lyles and 6 other females through the computer.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
06/18/2014
Kala Lyles – Counts 17-20.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
Jannie Ligons – Counts 15 & 16. (link to Ligons article)
[Allegations covered in podcast episodes 1 - 2 - 3 - 4]
Jannie Ligons reports alleged assault. Crime scene investigators process her vehicle.
[Allegations covered in podcast episodes 1 - 2 - 3 - 4]
DH shows up for his shift and is interrogated by sex crimes detectives. DH is placed on administrative leave.
[Covered in podcast episodes 2 and 3]
06/20/2015
Sex crimes detectives create a profile of women to begin to interview – black females with a history of drug addiction/prostitution.
06/23/2014
First newscast airs on KWTV News9. Jannie Ligons is interviewed. DH is not named or shown.
[KWTV News9: 6/23/2014 ‘OKC woman claims police officer forced her to perform oral sex act.’]
[Covered in podcast episode 4]
06/24/2014
Det. Gregory locates and interviews accuser Terri Morris for the second time. Conducts a photo lineup.
[Allegations covered in podcast episodes 5 and 6]
07/01/2014
Det. Kim Davis met with Holtzclaw's girlfriend and obtained a buccal swab from her for DNA comparison.
[Briefly mentioned in podcast episode 6]
07/10/2014
Det. Rocky Gregory interviews accuser Terri Morris for the third time. Obtain buccal swabs from her for DNA comparison.
[Allegations covered in podcast episodes 5 and 6]
07/16/2014
Det. Kim Davis spoke with ADA Gayland Gieger who stated he would file one count of forcible oral sodomy each for accusers Ligons and Morris.
[Briefly covered in episode 7]
07/22/2014
Det. Kim Davis contacted DH’s FOP lawyer, Susan Knight, and told her they have discovered female DNA on the inside fly of DH’s uniform pants.
[Briefly covered in episode 8]
07/23/2014
Detectives go to Kala Lyles last known address and leave a business card.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
07/24/2014
Detectives go to Sherry Ellis’ residence and leave a business card.
[Covered in podcast episodes 8 and 9]
Around this date Det. Rocky Gregory leaves for two-week vacation.
08/03/2014
Sherry Ellis is contacted on the phone by Det. Kim Davis. Brief interview is audio recorded.
[Covered in podcast episodes 8 and 9]
08/05/2014
Sherry Ellis is interviewed in person at OCPD sex crimes office. Claims her attacker is a “short, black man.”
[Covered in podcast episodes 8 and 9]
08/13/2014
Det. Rocky Gregory identifies a possible victim of DH because DH has run her through the police database more than once. A phone calls confirms the woman is a former girlfriend of DH.
[Covered in episode 10]
Sex crimes detectives interview Florene Mathis in jail. Interview was video recorded.
[Allegations covered in episode 10]
08/14/2014
Sex crimes detectives interview Tabitha Barnes at her residence. She cannot stay conscious so the meeting is cut short and rescheduled.
[Allegations covered in episodes 11 - 12 - 13]
Sex crimes detectives interview Florene Mathis again.
[Allegations covered in episode 10]
Sex crimes detectives show up at Carla Johnson’s home and interview her.
[Allegations covered in podcast episode 14]
08/15/2014
Det. Rocky Gregory returns to Tabitha Barnes’ home to continue interview. She does not answer the door.
[Mentioned in episode 11]
Sex crimes detectives obtained Florene Mathis’ DNA sample from her.
[Allegations covered in episode 10]
Sex crimes detective Rocky Gregory interviews Carla Raines at her home.
[Allegations covered in podcast episode 15 and 16]
Investigators begin to present additional charges against DH to the Oklahoma County District Atty’s office.
Sex crimes detectives get a buccal swab (DNA sample) from Carla Johnson.
[Allegations covered in podcast episode 14]
Sex crimes detectives go to Rosetta Grate’s father’s house, leave a card and indicate to him that they think his daughter may be a victim of a sexual assault by a police officer.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
08/17/2014
Det. Rocky Gregory continues previous interview with Tabithia Barnes (audio recorded).
[Allegations covered in episodes 11 - 12 - 13]
Sex crimes detective Rocky Gregory interviews Tabithia Barnes’ 11yr old daughter in his vehicle. (audio recorded) Says she never saw any inappropriate behavior by DH. Later admits she wasn’t present for this event.
[Allegations covered in episodes 11 - 12 - 13]
08/18/2014
Sex crimes detectives followup on a lead that a Tina Mosely may be a victim of DH. She denies being a victim but claims a woman named “Sherrita” (possibly a reference to accuser Syrita Bowen).
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
08/21/2014
Daniel Holtzclaw is officially arrested. Bond set at $5-million. Seven alleged victims.
Rape in the 1st, rape by instrumentation, forcible oral sodomy x3, sexual battery x2, and indecent exposure x2.
[Covered in episode 17]
First news reports where DH is identified and his picture shown.
[Covered in episode 18]
08/22/2014
Shaneice Jana Barksdale meets with Det. Rocky Gregory and claims she was a victim of Daniel Hotlzclaw.
[Covered in episode 18]
08/24/2014
Sex crimes detectives meet with Terry Williams (Tabithia Barnes’ boyfriend)
[Allegations covered in episodes 11 - 12 - 13]
Sex crimes detectives interview Gloria Price over the phone (Tabithia Barnes’ mother).
[Allegations covered in episodes 11 - 12 - 13]
08/27/2014
Sex crimes detectives interview Rosetta Grate in jail (video recorded).
[Allegations covered in episodes 19 - 20]
08/29/2014
Criminal charges are officially filed against DH.
[Covered in episode 21]
[OSCN link]
09/02/2014
Rosetta Grate contacts detectives from jail and wants to speak with them. They meet with her at noon (video taped).
[Allegations covered in episodes 19 - 20]
09/03/2014
Judge lowers bond for DH.
[Covered in episode 21]
Twelve members of the OKC Police Dept. (mostly gang officers) execute a search warrant on the home where accuser Rosetta Grate says she was sexually assaulted by Holtzclaw. The home is occupied by Willie Carter.
[Allegations covered in episodes 19 - 20]
09/12/2014
Det. Kim Davis calls Edwin Smith (Sherri Ellis’ boyfriend), he also states Ellis claimed her attacker was a black male cop that’s always in the area.
[Covered in podcast episodes 8 and 9]
After Ellis was interviewed, OCPD David Jehle is asked to located via AVL whomever DH may have encounter at the ‘abandoned school.’ This is when accuser Regina Copeland is identified as a possible victim.
[Covered in podcast episodes 8 and 9]
OCPD David Jehle is asked to compile a list of all females DH encountered on his 6/17/2014 and 6/18/2014 shift. This is when accuser Adaira Gardner’s name is discovered.
09/15/2014
Terry Mack (Sherri Ellis’ other boyfriend) is interviewed by Det. Kim Davis.
[Covered in podcast episodes 8 and 9]
09/16/2014
Kala Lyles has missed her set meetings with her parole officer and is in violation. Calls and claims to be a victim of DH. Admits detectives left a business card on her door 07/23/2014. Lyles is interviewed by Det. Kim Davis (recorded).
[Covered in podcast episodes 22 and 23.]
Det. Rocky Gregory interviewed Tabitha Barnes’ teen daughter at her middle school.
09/17/2014
Det. Davis called and interviewed James Anderson (Kala Lyles’ boyfriend)
[Covered in podcast episodes 22 and 23.]
09/18/2019
Det. Davis interviews Victor Wilson (Carla Johnson’s roommate)
09/19/2014
Shardayreon Hill calls OCPD and claims to be a victim of DH.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
09/23/2019
Det. Rocky Gregory interviewed Angela Cooper (friend of Tabitha Barnes) via phone.
09/29/2014
News media reports that DH is now facing 10 additional charges.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
10/01/2014
Det. Rocky Gregory has phone interview with Rodney Lee (burglarized Tabitha Barnes’ home).
Det. Rocky Gregory has phone interview with Jesse Hawkin (associate of Tabitha Barnes).
10/02/2014
Syrita Bowen returns detectives calls/contacts after they visited her mother in a nursing home. Bowen claims to be a victim of DH but does not want to be interviewed.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
News media reports that more victims are coming forward against DH.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
DH ordered to serve 14-days in county jail for violating bond conditions. Went to doctors appointment without notifying proper agency.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
10/03/2014
Amanda Gates (Adaira Gardner’s mother) contacts detectives after they leave a business card on her door. Says on the night of the alleged rape, her daughter’s only reaction was to say she met a “Hot Cop.” (Interview was audio recorded)
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
10/07/2014
Okla. County DA David Prater calls OCPD and asks if they are trying to contact Syrita Bowen. Prater says he’s been in contact with Pastor Manning and local attorney Tony Coleman. When Manning and Coleman go to get Bowen, she refuses to answer her door.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
10/09/2014
Atty Tony Coleman calls detectives and says he can arrange meeting for them with Syrita Bowen at a church. Detectives claim two audio recorders failed and didn’t record the meeting.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
10/10/2014
Adaira Gardner calls detectives from out of state. Said her mother gave her their number. Claims she was raped by DH. Says she will call detectives back.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
10/13/2014
Detectives meet with Regina Copeland in Garland Texas.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
10/15/2014
Detectives go to the ‘bus barn’ area to photograph alleged crime scene and to utilize a metal detector (Regina Copeland related).
10/24/2014
Adaira Gardner comes to OKC from Detroit and is interviewed by detectives. (video recorded)
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
10/27/2014
Det. Kim Davis goes to the jail to interview Melodie Coleman (was with Adaira Gardner on the day of her alleged assault).
Detectives photograph the Adaira Gardner crime scene.
11/04/2014
Media reports additional charges have been filed against DH.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
11/18/2014
Preliminary hearing held. DH is bound over for trial.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
12/16/2014
Det Kim Davis photographs Regina Copeland crime scene.
01/08/2015
DH is formally fired from OCPD.
Facebook link to OCPD post regarding Holtzclaw's termination.
[OCPD Facebook post link]
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
A male comes forward and claims he too was raped by Daniel Holtzclaw (later admitted her lied)
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
06/17/2015
Accusers Jannie Ligons, Terry Morris, Tabithia Barnes, Carla Raines, Florene Mathis, Regina Copeland, and Carla Johnson are named in a civil lawsuit filed in Oklahoma County court against DH and the city of Oklahoma City. (link)
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
[OSCN link]
07/27/2015
DH ordered to serve 15-days in county jail for 2nd bond violation. Battery on ankle monitor died overnight.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
07/31/2015
Accuser Demetria Campbell files a civil lawsuit against DH and the City of Oklahoma City.
[OSCN link]
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
09/14/2015
Accuser Shardayreon Hill files a civil lawsuit in Oklahoma County against DH and the city of Oklahoma City.
[OSCN link]
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
10/13/2015
Accusers Jannie Ligons, Terry Morris, Tabithia Barnes, Carla Raines, Florene Mathis, Regina Copeland, and Carla Johnson move their civil lawsuit to federal court.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
Kenneth Jordan (OKC Municipal Counselor) recommend the City Council deny a request to provide legal defense council for Holtzclaw in the Demetria Campbell civil lawsuit.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
11/02/2015
Jury trial begins.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
12/01/2015
Jury taken on a field trip to visit alleged crime scenes.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
12/07/2015
Jury trial ends and jury deliberation set to begin.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
12/10/2015
Jury deliberation ends and verdict announced.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
01/20/2016
Defense files a motion for retrial or, alternatively, an evidentiary hearing.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
01/21/2016
DH sentenced to 263 years consecutively.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
01/27/2016
Defense files notice of intent to appeal.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
10/01/2016
Daniel Holtzclaw receives his first correspondence from famed defense attorney Kathleen Zellner, after writing to her asking her to look into his case.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
02/01/2017
Daniel Holtzclaw's attorneys file a formal appeal on his behalf. (link to details)
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
02/24/2017
Famed criminal defense attorney Kathleen Zellner acknowledges Daniel Holtzclaw’s case for the first time by retweeting Holtzclaw supporter Michelle Malkin.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
07/29/2017
Famed criminal defense attorney Kathleen Zellner sends out her first tweet regarding the Daniel Holtzclaw case.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
09/13/2017
Famed criminal defense attorney Kathleen Zellner sends out the following Tweet, “Grave injustice unite strangers determined to rewrite the endings of those tragic tales #freedanielholtzclaw (with a “Teamwork makes Dream Work” graphic)
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
08/01/2019
Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals ‘affirms’ Daniel Holtzclaw’s conviction and 263 year sentence.
[To be covered in future podcast episode]
[HoltzclawTrial.com blog post]
11/2019
Oklahoma Department of Corrections reverses it’s prior decision to redact Daniel Holtzclaw from it’s offender database. Daniel Holtzclaw’s information and photo were republished. However, his current detention facility is still redacted for his protection.
[DOC link]
12/17/2019
Attorney Kathleen Zellner withdraws from her representation of Daniel Holtzclaw in his federal civil case. OKC attorney James L. Hankins is now Daniel’s counsel in this matter (16-cv-184-HE).