Weatherford Man Convicted of Second-Degree Manslaughter

2-251

December 7, 2021

By News Director Jared Atha

A Weatherford man who was originally charged for the murder of his girlfriend has been convicted of second-degree manslaughter, and could be out of jail soon due to time already served.

27-year-old Zackary Otto Sherwood was originally charged with second-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend.

Sherwood’s charges were later lowered to second-degree manslaughter during his bench trial that concluded on Friday.

A Custer County judge would sentence Sherwood to four years in the Department of Corrections with all but two years suspended and credit for time served. Sherwood also will be required to attend substance abuse counseling within 90 days of release, have no contact with the victim’s family and be subject to random drug testing.

Sherwood’s defense attorney Daniel Pond argued that Sherwood was trying to unload the weapon at the time of the incident, and that the shooting was unintentional.

During her final statements, District Attorney Angela Marsee would claim Sherwood was under the influence of illegal drugs at the time of the shooting, and had requested that Sherwood be charged with first-degree manslaughter.

A probable cause affidavit would show that Sherwood would tell investigators that he did chamber a shell in a 410-gauge shotgun in a Weatherford hotel room that he and the victim were in. He would state that the gun went off when he pushed the bolt to the gun forward, without his finger on the trigger.

Copyright 2021 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.

Santa and an elf wearing capes with a “Nominate a Hero” headline, $250 prize note, and the 96.5FM KECO logo.

Santa’s Christmas Heroes

About KECO 96.5FM is spotlighting locals who do selfless good. Winners receive a $250 prize from a KECO sponsor. We announce on air and share photos on the KECO Facebook page. How it works Pick a nominee,

2511170832_1942348

Update on Weatherford Ammonia Leak

Weatherford, OK – Weatherford officials released new details following the major anhydrous ammonia leak that occurred late Wednesday night behind the Holiday Inn Express. The leak was reported around 9:58 p.m., prompting a large multi-agency emergency response.

2511161311_1361081

SWOSU Names Magill to Presidential Order of Merit

Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has proudly presented Bruce Magill, ’70, with the university’s prestigious Presidential Order of Merit. The award was presented by SWOSU’s Acting President, Dr. Janet Cunningham, during the recent Fall

2511161308_1350620

SWOSU Names Birdsong to Presidential Order of Merit

Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has proudly presented Carl Birdsong, ’83, with the university’s prestigious Presidential Order of Merit. The award was presented by SWOSU’s Acting President, Dr. Janet Cunningham, during SWOSU’s Homecoming football

2511161254_1118658

Wilkes Named to SWOSU Presidential Order of Merit

Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) proudly recognized longtime benefactor and SWOSU Alumni Association Past President Mike Wilkes, ’75, with the prestigious Presidential Order of Merit. The award was presented by SWOSU’s Acting President, Dr.

2511131130_2510160815_19812

SWOSU Student Charged as Court Probes Death

Ada, OK – Court proceedings are underway in the case of a Southwestern Oklahoma State University student who was found dead near Veterans Lake in Sulphur last month. According to court documents, Cameron Lewis, a SWOSU student

2511121214_1941244

SWOSU Computer Club Hosts Annual Fundraising Lock-In

Weatherford, OK – The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Computer Club and SWOSU Esports hosted their annual Extra Life lock-in fundraiser, raising $1,000 to support the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital. The funds help support needed medication, equipment, and

2511101440_1936306

Candidate Filing Begins For Board Of Education

Arapaho, OK – Candidates for the Board of Education in Arapaho-Butler, Clinton, Thomas-Fay-Custer and Weatherford Schools Custer County school districts will file Declarations of Candidacy beginning 8 a.m. Monday, December 1 2025. Ann Brown, Secretary of the

2511051328_1971799

Cupp Enters State Chamber Hall of Fame

Elk City, OK – The Elk City Chamber’s Cupp runneth over with award-winning experience. Susie Cupp, Executive Director of Elk City’s Chamber of Commerce, was recently inducted into the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Executives Hall of Fame.