SEEKING ANSWERS, NOT ACCUSATIONS: INVESTIGATOR SEEKS HELP IN NOAH PRESGROVE CASE

Investigator Darcie Parton-Scoon is asking people with information about the death of Noah Presgrove to come forward, offering private interviews and emphasizing that answering questions does not mean someone is suspected of a crime.

Parton-Scoon said online speculation and accusations following Presgrove’s death have damaged relationships and created distrust within the community. She believes some people may be reluctant to speak because they fear being publicly identified or accused of wrongdoing.

“I want people to know that they can talk to me, and I'm not gonna be posting online what they said,” Parton-Scoon said.

She said her review of case files, digital evidence and previously recorded interviews has raised additional questions about timelines, locations and statements. She hopes to revisit conversations with people who may have relevant information.

Parton-Scoon said some individuals who participated in earlier interviews felt uncomfortable or accused.

“I listened to a lot of interviews from the start of this,” she said. “There were people who didn't do anything, I believe, especially with the additional data that came in.”

She emphasized that investigative questions do not necessarily indicate suspicion.

“Some of the investigative methods we use are for elimination,” Parton-Scoon said. “They're not necessarily because we think somebody did something, but we want to bolster their statements.”

She explained that investigators may seek to verify information, corroborate statements or eliminate possibilities as they work to establish a clearer timeline of events.

Parton-Scoon said she has reviewed interviews conducted by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and a private investigator, along with additional case records obtained through subpoenas. She also identified cellphone data, geolocation records and screenshots as potential sources of information that could help clarify what happened.

The amount of digital evidence has made the review time-consuming, she said, and specialized technical assistance has been needed to extract and examine some data.

Parton-Scoon also discussed the complexities of tribal, state and federal jurisdiction in Oklahoma. She said legal changes around the time of Presgrove’s death created challenges in determining which authorities had jurisdiction over different offenses.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2020 decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma affirmed the continued existence of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s reservation for purposes of the federal Major Crimes Act. Subsequent legal decisions and federal legislation have further shaped criminal jurisdiction in Indian Country.

Parton-Scoon said tribal nations have their own laws and court systems, and jurisdiction can depend on where an alleged offense occurred, the status of the people involved and the nature of the alleged crime. State and federal authorities may also have roles, depending on the circumstances.

She said understanding these legal complexities is important when examining how evidence is handled and determining which authorities may consider it.

Parton-Scoon said her work involves organizing information, arranging interviews and preparing materials for review by the appropriate authorities. She cautioned that the process takes time and that she cannot publicly disclose every detail of an ongoing review.

To make speaking with her easier, Parton-Scoon said she is willing to arrange interviews through Zoom, Microsoft Teams or other online platforms. Private, in-person meetings also may be arranged locally.

With a background in educational psychology, specializing in trauma and disabilities, and experience in forensic interviewing, Parton-Scoon said she wants people to feel comfortable sharing information without fear of public humiliation.

“I'm not here to holler at people and throw them under the bus,” she said. “I'm not here to do that.”

She said she is the only person with access to information shared directly with her and wants to provide a private setting for people who may have been hesitant to speak previously.

“There are already evidence of crimes,” Parton-Scoon said. “It just wasn't with the right person at the right time and the right location.”

Parton-Scoon said additional information may lead to follow-up questions, but even details that seem insignificant could help establish a timeline or eliminate a possibility. A screenshot, clarification of a previous statement or information about someone's whereabouts may contribute to a more complete understanding of events.

“I just have additional questions based on the additional information that we got from the case files that have been subpoenaed,” she said.

Parton-Scoon encouraged anyone with relevant information to contact her privately to discuss arranging a conversation.

She hopes a nonconfrontational approach will help rebuild trust and encourage people to share what they know without fear of being publicly accused. For those who may be reluctant to speak, she emphasized that answering questions is not an admission of guilt and that the purpose of the review is to examine information, including details that may help rule out possibilities