Comanche County Court to Address Case Backlog with High-Profile Trials Including Shooting and Assault Charges

LAWTON, Okla. – Comanche County is set to commence its third felony jury docket of the year on Monday, featuring a high-profile case against Christopher Adam East, a man accused of shooting into an occupied mobile home in 2021. The county has organized four extended dockets this year to tackle a significant backlog of cases.

East, 33, who goes by aliases including “D-Town,” “Dallas,” and “D-Boy,” faces serious charges including felony discharging a firearm into a dwelling and use of a vehicle in the discharge of a weapon. Additionally, East is charged with possession of a firearm after former felony convictions and a misdemeanor count of reckless conduct with a firearm. If convicted, the charges involving the use of a vehicle could lead to a minimum of four years and up to life in prison, considering his prior felony convictions.

The incident traces back to the night of Feb. 1, 2021, when East reportedly visited EZ-Go at 3003 E. Gore, seeking information about a man allegedly looking for him. According to a probable cause affidavit, East displayed a handgun at the scene before leaving in a silver SUV. Shortly after, this vehicle was seen driving past the mobile home at 601 NE Flower Mound Road, where gunshots were fired into the structure and a vehicle parked outside. Inside the mobile home at the time were the man East had been inquiring about, along with a woman and a child. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported from the incident.

Investigators later determined that East was driving his girlfriend’s Nissan Rogue on the day of the shooting. Following the events, an arrest warrant was issued on Feb. 11, 2021. East was arrested and made his initial court appearance on Dec. 17, 2021. His bond was initially set at $100,000 but later reduced to $75,000, allowing his release on Jan. 24, 2022. Further complicating his legal troubles, East was rearrested on May 12, 2023, on separate felony charges including endangering others while eluding police and driving under the influence causing great bodily injury.

East’s criminal history includes prior convictions for burglary in Henderson and Rusk Counties in Texas in 2009. His trial is slated to begin before Chief District Judge Grant Sheperd.

Simultaneously, District Judge Jay Walker will oversee the trial of Anthony Dimitri Turner, 35, of Lawton, beginning Monday. Turner faces charges including first-degree rape, second-degree rape, and lewd acts with a child under 16. Turner is accused of raping three teenage runaways in October 2021, who reported he had given them alcohol and committed the acts at his residence.

Additionally, on Wednesday, Michael Cypert, 50, will face trial for assaulting two corrections officers. Already serving a 30-year sentence for second-degree murder, Cypert faces up to an additional 10 years per count if convicted on these latest charges. His case will also be heard by Judge Walker.

These trials underscore a critical period for Comanche County as it strives to clear its judicial backlog while addressing cases involving serious allegations and repeat offenders. This week’s court proceedings could potentially impact the lives of numerous individuals involved, both defendants and alleged victims alike, and resonate through the community.