Black Partner Charged with Murder After Killing White Mother of His Offspring

Tulsa World
November 2, 2014

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Beverly Ann Stratton had been living with the Black father of her youngest child for twelve years, before he eventually killed her.

A Tulsa man who police say fatally shot the mother of his child and then shot himself was charged Friday with one count of first-degree murder and three counts of feloniously pointing a firearm.

Robert Julius Tillotson III, 31, survived a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head after police say he fatally shot Beverly Ann Stratton, 32, on Oct. 25 at a house they shared in the 600 block of East 45th Place North.

Stratton’s three children, ages 9, 11 and 12, were in the house at the time, and the 12-year-old called 911.

Tillotson is the father of the youngest child, police said.

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Robert Julius Tillotson III had a history of domestic violence, as well as being Black.

The two had a history of domestic violence, and on Sept. 25 Tillotson pleaded guilty to two counts of domestic assault and battery, in addition to malicious injury to property and interference with an emergency phone call.

Police said Stratton had told Tillotson that their relationship was over but was allowing him to remain in the house temporarily.

Tillotson was convicted of felony unauthorized use of a vehicle in December 2011 and served less than seven months of a two-year sentence in prison, court and Department of Corrections records show.

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She leaves these three creatures in her place.