On Thursday, April 17, 2025, ABC 7 News reported that a district judge in Texas County, Oklahoma, declined to recuse himself from a high-profile murder case involving two women discovered buried in a freezer. Judge Jon K. Parsley rejected a motion filed by the attorney of Tad Cullum, one of the defendants, who argued that the judge’s previous representation of Cullum’s girlfriend, Tifany Adams, in a civil matter raised concerns about impartiality.
Cullum and several co-defendants, including Adams and others, are facing charges related to the kidnapping and murder of Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley. The case has garnered significant media attention due to its disturbing nature and the circumstances surrounding the victims’ disappearance.
In his ruling, Judge Parsley stated that the statutory language cited in the motion was “inapplicable to the facts in this situation.” Cullum’s legal team contended that the judge’s impartiality could reasonably be questioned, asserting that the mere appearance of bias or impropriety is sufficient grounds for recusal. They further claimed that not stepping down would violate Cullum’s 14th Amendment right to a fair trial.
Judge Parsley indicated that he thoroughly reviewed all relevant legal precedents and ethical guidelines before making his decision. He referenced a ruling from the Oklahoma Supreme Court, which established that judges are presumed to be impartial unless a party can present specific facts to counter that presumption.
The two victims were last seen on March 30, 2024, en route from Kansas to Oklahoma to collect Butler’s children for a birthday celebration. Their remains were discovered on April 14, 2024, prompting an investigation that led to the current charges against Cullum and his co-defendants.
Source: ABC 7 News
