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.

On Wednesday, the State called 12 more witnesses, all of whom were sworn in and gave their testimony before court recessed for the evening at 7:25 p.m.

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 this week, with jury deliberations possibly beginning as early as Thursday afternoon and continuing into Friday.

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