June 14 – A Haskell man is being held without bail after being charged in the 2021 death of his wife.
Dayan Banks, 46, appeared in court by telephone on Monday to face charges of first degree murder and desecration of a human corpse.
Banks is accused of killing his wife Tamera Ellis Banks, 44, on or around November 15, 2021, and then disposing of her body by burning it. His body has not been found.
Muskogee County Assistant District Attorney Shelby Limburg told Special Judge Roy Tucker that the state views Banks as a threat.
“He is currently due to stand trial in the fall for domestic assault and battery, the victim in this case being the deceased in this case,” Limburg said. “While on bail for this case, he was the victim of a violation of a protective order as well as a kidnapping and a domestic a&b (battery).
“He has already shown that he cannot follow court instructions and refrain from pressing further charges. That, coupled with first degree murder and desecration, is one of the worst tragedies – this which we are asking I think is appropriate.”
Limburg referenced an emergency protective order granted to Tamera Banks against Dayan Banks on October 25, 2021, regarding a domestic disturbance which Muskogee County deputies responded to on October 23, 2021.
Caleb Harlin, the attorney representing Dayan Banks, said Lauren Jackson, the state’s key witness, is his reasoning for Banks being given bail. Jackson is listed in the official court filing as being in a relationship with Banks at the time of the incident.
“Especially noting the fact that the state’s chief witness just pleaded to a federal crime,” he said. “He was offered a plea deal for testifying against my client.”
After hearing from both sides and asking Banks if he understood his rights, Tucker decided that Banks would be held without bond. Banks is next scheduled to appear in court on July 18.