Clifford Eagle, Homeless Man, Cops To 25-Year-Old Murder Case In Oklahoma

Clifford Eagle allegedly confessed to a 25-year-old murder cold case out of Oklahoma.

A homeless man walked into a police precinct in Montana last week and confessed to his involvement in the murder of an Oklahoma county commissioner 25 years ago.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation on Monday announced that Clifford Eagle, 53, copped to shooting and killing Leo Boyd Reasnor, a commissioner in Haskell County who was found slumped over in his pickup truck with a bullet wound to the head on June 25, 1987, MSNBC reported.

"He just said he wanted to get something off of his chest," said Stan Florence, director of the investigation bureau. "I think it was just one of those things he carried with him for 25 years and wanted to talk to somebody about it."

The confession -- and first-degree murder charges against Eagle -- are the beginning of the end for a cold case that has stumped Oklahoma authorities for decades.

Eagle allegedly told investigators that he and another man, Vince Johnson, were on a county road when they came upon Reasnor. He said that Reasnor accused Johnson of "stealing some of his property," so Eagle shot him in the head, according to the Oklahoman.

Johnson was executed by the state of Oklahoma in 2001 for the murder of 44-year-old Shirley Mooneyham, according to Fox 23.

Eagle, a registered sex offender in Montana, pleaded guilty to rape in Pittsburgh County in 2003. He also has charges for marijuana possession and prison escape under his belt.

Reasnor's daughter, Kim Stout, was 21 when her father was killed.

"You never give up after 25 years. ... I've always thought it would happen. I never gave up that thought and I don't think anybody in our family did," she told the Oklahoman. "[But] until a trial occurs and all the evidence is presented, I don't know that I'll feel closure until that happens."

Editor's Note: This story has been updated to include additional sources about Eagle's alleged confession.

From our partners

• Porn Star Bibi Jones Gives Sex Advice To Spice Things Up In the Bedroom - BroBible.com
• Dumb British Traditions - Dumb As A Blog
• Bad Roommates: The 7 Worst Types - Guyism.com

Comments

[Karen West Sanchez]

11:36 AM on 04/27/2012

To set the records straight, Eagle did NOT confess to killing Reasnor. He confessed to being at the scene with Johnson, both shooting at the victim. He did NOT confess to murder. Not saying he isn't guilty of the crime, just saying the facts on this story are not accurate.

[Andy Campbell]

01:48 PM on 04/27/2012

Karen -- please see the updated story above. We've updated it to clarify that the state bureau of investigation reported in a press release that Eagle did confess to the killing. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

[Matt Owens]

01:45 PM on 04/25/2012

Why WOULDNT a homeless man admit to murder? He's probably hungry and thirsty and lacking shelter. Where could he find all three, for free, for an extended period of time? Hmmm... prison?

[scrapper7]

12:30 PM on 04/25/2012

A murderer, a registered sex-offender, drug possession and prison escape. The guy's a real sweetheart, who shouldn't be breathing. He needs exactly what his buddy, Johnson got. (And, not a moment too soon!)

[ungrumpy1]

12:28 PM on 04/25/2012

Eagle eye? More like insane eye, lol.

Reminder...Eagle says he shot the victim because the victim accused the guy (Johnson) standing next to him of theft.

[psandysdad]

11:53 AM on 04/25/2012

Haunted by a long-ago murder.....and now no longer homeless or hungry.

[rkeeeballs]

11:30 AM on 04/25/2012

Homeless guy just wanted a warm bed and 3 square meals a day..May as well admit to the killing he did 25 years ago ! That's the plan . Glad the family gets closure. Took 25 years to have remorse ?...Hmmmmm...?

[Cold Comfort Farm]

10:58 AM on 04/25/2012

Was it really a matter of conscious or outbalanced with needing a place to live with three meals a day and medical care the rest of his life. I don't mean that to sound as harsh as it seems; if I were homeless at his age and the same circumstances, I might do the same.

[mahnistanah]

11:29 AM on 04/25/2012

you've never been to prison. you have no idea what you are talking about.

[MsMeT]

12:14 PM on 04/25/2012

I disagree with yo umahnistanah - I think that's EXACTLY what's going on...... Times are tough and he's done gettin and goin......

[ungrumpy1]

12:16 PM on 04/25/2012

Well, have you ever been homeless and out in the street?

[scrapper7]

12:47 PM on 04/25/2012

Your viewpoint is well-taken and I agree wholeheartedly! As far as sounding harsh, not to worry. I detected no sarcasm in your comment. Besides, there's a huge difference between harsh and honest.

[ScientistfromtheHood]

10:51 AM on 04/25/2012

All violent prisoners should be given solitary confinement with no TV or computers. They should only have access to books, selected by the prison authority. They should be forced to eat the same thing every day (the "loaf"). They should only receive limited health care. No more than $10,000 per year should be spent on any inmates health care. These harsh changes will make individuals like Mr. Eagle think twice before comitting a heinous act.

[Overd0g2]

10:48 AM on 04/25/2012

He's a looker.

[dennishastings]

10:45 AM on 04/25/2012

This guy turned himself in. It took a long time, but he did the right thing.

[musicmasterno1]

10:41 AM on 04/25/2012

My, he's a handsome fella....

I can understand why he shot the guy in the head......how dare he accuse him of being a thief?

[ungrumpy1]

12:19 PM on 04/25/2012

Lol, let alone accuse the guy standing next to him. Maybe the other guy did the shooting and neanderthal man is making use of it just now.

[fine7760]

10:31 AM on 04/25/2012

At one time the shape of a persons head was a good indication if they were or predisposed to be a criminal. To look at him it wasn't a bad theory.

[toolfan73]

10:14 AM on 04/25/2012

He could drop a dime and pick up two nickels.

[toolfan73]

10:13 AM on 04/25/2012

That eye is bothering me.

[mf123]

10:46 AM on 04/25/2012

Then look away.

[ungrumpy1]

12:20 PM on 04/25/2012

It's hard to look away!

[p456]

10:02 AM on 04/25/2012

This guy is proof that mankind is still evolving and some of us are further up the evolutionary latter than others. He could easily be the missing link.