Sayre, OK – After a full day of 11 witnesses called to the stand on Tuesday, day three of the murder trial of 38-year-old Clayton Samson Hays of Carter continued Wednesday in Beckham County District Court. Jury trial proceedings began Monday following jury selection last week.

Hays is charged with first-degree manslaughter in the January 11, 2024, shooting death of 42-year-old Colter Vaught on the west side of Elk City.

Closing arguments in the trial are expected later Wednesday and Thursday, with jury deliberations possibly beginning as early as Thursday afternoon and continuing into Friday.

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