ANADARKO, Okla. ( KFOR ) – A metro attorney says pressure may have been behind Alysia Adams decision to turn down a plea deal Wednesday tied to a first-degree murder case.
Adams is the caregiver accused in the murder of 4-year-old Athena Brownfield. The little girl’s remains were discovered in a field in Rush Springs in January 2023 after she went missing.
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The deal, set to be considered at a Wednesday hearing was taken off of the table by Adams herself, who decided not to enter a plea minutes before the hearing was set to begin. The state said making that call leaves the death penalty on the table as a potential punishment if she’s found guilty.
“I would say it’s very rare,” said Oklahoma City Criminal Defense Attorney, Robert Gifford, when asked to weigh in on how unusual a move like Adams’ was.
Gifford says there are a number of reasons Adams may have changed her mind, ranging from if she believes she’s innocent, to the enormity of the decision itself.