Stabbing of Dennis Lee Penwell - Oklahoma County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Mary Elizabeth Penwell 19 Feb 2006 Return to Oklahoma County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/oklahoma/oklahoma.html ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ========================================================================== This is a story about my father, Dennis Lee Penwell, b 1901 in Canadian County, Oklahoma. He was the son of Frank Sheridan Penwell and Ann Barker Penwell. He was my father.. Mary Elizabeth Penwell, b 1934 in Pulaski County, Arkansas. Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/oklahoma/pics/p5400011.jpg PLAINVIEW TX MONDAY, MAY 23, 1949 Dennis Lee Penwell Is Victim; Juan Jiminez Charged A single thrust of a long dirk wielded by a Mexican took the life of Dennis Lee Penwell, 47, of Oklahoma City here early Sunday morning. Penwell fell dying almost at the feet of his wife who witnessed the stabbing in an eating place on the D. S. Dudley Shows location on Milwee Street about 12:30 a.m. Charged with murder is Juan Jiminez, 23, Mexican farm laborer who was employed by Jack Taylor near Lockney. Penwell, poster advertising manager for D. S. Dudley, lived at 3012 Meridian Street in Oklahoma City. The body left here Sunday afternoon for El Reno, Okla., where funeral services are to be held Tuesday afternoon. Interment will be in Oklahoma City. Hale County Sheriff Ted Andrews said witnesses' accounts of the stabbing indicate an affray in which Penwell was not involved preceded the killing. Witnesses told officers Jiminez and "Polack" Plesky, a Dudley Shows employee, engaged in an affray after Jiminez allegedly poured a glass of water on Plesky. Officers were told that Plesky knocked Jiminez to the ground. At that point Penwell walked into the place. Jiminez got to his feet, drew a long knife and stabbed Penwell. The thrust went almost through Penwell's body, cutting the breast bone and piercing the heart, later examination revealed. Jiminez ran and was pursued into the darkness by the group who had witnessed the stabbing. The Mexican ran into a wheat field and several men searched for him while others summoned officers and an ambulance. Sheriff Andrews, Deputy Bill Dunn and Liquor Control Board Officer, Leon Bowman had left the show grounds only a few minutes before the killing occurred. They were contacted in a short time and returned immediately. The officers patrolled roads in automobiles while others searched for the fleeing man on foot in fields and along the Fort Worth & Denver Railway right of way. In a few minutes Jiminez was found hiding in a culvert under the railroad. The metal cylinder was partially filled with mud and water. Officers could not reach the spot in cars. When the officers got to the scene, Jiminez had been beaten Sheriff Andrews said. The man is receiving treatment at the Plainview Sanitarium & Clinic for a fractured nose and bruises. His condition is not serious. Andrews said he will be moved to the Hale County jail as soon as physicians pronounce him to be in good physical condition. Two companions of Jiminez, his brother, Julio Jiminez and Paulo Guerra, were taken into custody at the scene of the stabbing. Guerra is charged with carrying a concealed weapon. Officers said that, after Jiminez ran, following the killing, Guerra ran a short distance away and hid in the weeds. When D. S. Dudley started to drive off in his car to summon aid Guerra raised up with a pistol in his hands. Dudley ordered the man to drop his gun, officers said, and he complied. The knife with which Penwell was killed had not been found at noon today Sheriff Andrews said. Mrs. Penwell described the weapon as a "long knife" with a yellow handle. Jiminez told officers he does not remember what he did with the knife. The Dudley Shows which were on the Milwee Street location all last week were tearing down for removal to Floydada when the killing occurred. Penwell is survived by his widow, three children, Norma Lee Penwell, Oklahoma City; Mrs. Helen Hedley, Topeka, KS., and Mrs. Billy Barwise, in Washington State; his stepmother, Mrs. R. Penwell, St. Louis, MO.; two brothers, Clifford Penwell, Oklahoma City, and Ray Penwell, El Reno. The M. W. Lemons Funeral Home had charge of arrangements here. JIMINEZ INDICTED IN PENWELL DEATH Juan Jiminez, 23, was indicted late last night for the murder of Dennis Lee Penwell, 47, D. S. Dudley Carnival employee. The Hale County Grand Jury for the 64th District Court, recessed after returning the Jiminez and 18 other indictments. The indictment charged Jiminez with "murder with malice afore-thought after cutting him with a dirk." Penwell was fatally stabbed early Sunday morning as the carnival was breaking up after a week's run in Plainview. The Grand Jury returned eight indictments for forgery and pasing, five for burglary at night, two for felony theft and one each for murder, wife and child desertion, burglary and defrauding with a worthless check. The June term of 64th District Court will open June 6 in Plainview. JUNE 8 RELEASED ON $3000 BOND Juan Jiminez, Latin-American of near Lockney, charged with murder in the death here May 22, has been released on $3000 bond, Hale County sheriff's office official said. Jiminez, about 22, allegedly fatally stabbed Dennis Lee Penwell, 47, of Oklahoma City on carnival grounds here. Penwell was killed instantly. Jiminez was released on bond Saturday. Submitted by: Mary Elizabeth Penwell, daughter of Dennis Lee Penwell.. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Oklahoma County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/oklahoma/oklahoma.html