Indian Country, Oklv. – George John Hanson, also known in the Oklahoma court system as John Fitzgerald Hanson, is a Mvskoke Nation citizen who was convicted in Oklahoma for the 1999 carjacking, kidnapping, and murder of Mary Bowles. He was sentenced to death.Since 2006 Hanson has been serving a Life sentence for federal bank robbery. He was at U.S.P. Pollock, a federal penitentiary located in Louisiana. On January 23, 2025, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond requested his transfer by March 20 to face his death sentence in Oklahoma as he was the next in line for execution.
Hanson filed for injunctive relief on January 29th to stop the transfer to Oklahoma, suing Drummond, Acting Regional Director, U.S. Department of Justice Danon Colbert, Acting Director, U.S. Department of Justice William W. Lothrop, and Warden, United States Penitentiary Pollock Howard K. Goldey.
In his brief for relief Hanson stated his release to Oklahoma for execution “goes against the Muscogee (Creek) Nation” and that “The resulting imposition of the death penalty upon release to Oklahoma is a betrayal of a promise made to the Cherokee and Muscogee (Creek) Nations, and it demonstrates a deep disrespect for tribal sovereignty.” His brief references a letter from the Muscogee (Creek) Nation that was provided to the court.
Hanson used this argument with what he claims is supporting documentation. Mvskoke Media reviewed these documents and they do not contain the supporting statements that he asserts.
The letter from the Mvskoke Nation, dated March 3rd, 2004, written during Chief A.D. Ellis’ term and signed by Second Chief Alfred Berryhill, addressed to Lisa S. McCalmont, Death Penalty Federal Habeas Corpus Division, advises that “to the best of our knowledge the Muscogee (Creek) Nation has not addressed the issue of the Federal Death Penalty. Please feel free to Conduct any further research with the Nations public records including those housed with the Legislative Branch.”
The documentation from the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma is two letters from Lane Kindle in Real Estate Services. The first is dated February 5, 2020, the second August 6, 2020. They show that the area where Bowles was murdered occurred is within Cherokee Nation boundaries.
On March 3, 2025, The Associated Press reported that “neither tribe supports Hanson’s execution.”
None of the documents Hanson provided the court backs up his claim that his transfer for execution is not supported by either Muscogee or Cherokee Nations and previous comments on the case by either Nation cannot be located.
Mvskoke Media contacted Muscogee Nation Press Secretary Jason Salsman and Cherokee Nation Communications Director Julie Hubbard for comment.
While Salsman provided a “no comment” from Muscogee Nation, Hubbard stated, “(T)he Cherokee Nation has not commented on this in the past and aren’t commenting on the case.”
Per a February 13 Press Release from Oklahoma AG Drummond, Hanson is eligible for the next available execution date, which likely will be in June. Hanson was transferred to the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester on March 2.
if they are sure he killed that woman then he should be executed. sounds like from his rap sheet, this guy is a menace to society and needs taken out. Why spend thousands of taxpayers dollars a year to house this person. The Bible says “an eye for an eye.”
He was convicted of killing Mary Bowles who was one of the finest ladies I have ever met. He shouldn’t get a free pass because he is Muscogee Creek. I’m an enrolled member of the MCN and I say his sentence has already been decided and should be carried out as planned.
There is NO INDIAN RESERVATION NOR ANY INDIAN COUNTRY. THE LAND WAS SUB-DIVIDED 1886-1906 a.d. AND ASSIGNED / DEEDED TO NON-DISCHARGED MILITSRY OFFICERS AND HIS FAMILY MEMBERS
(3-GENERATIONS).
THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA GOVERNMENT HAS NO JURISDICTION OVER THE LAND. THE LAND WAS LAND ALLOTTMENT “BEFORE EACH STATEHOOD DATE EXISTED”. ANY DEED AFTER THAT IS ILLEGAL.
THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA CANNOT GOVERN THE LAND NOR CHARGE A FEE FOR TRAVELERS ON HIGHWAY NOR CAN THE TRIBES.
ENROLLEES WERE NOT ENROLLED AS INDIANS NOR WERE THEY ENROLLED TO A TRIBE.
THE ORIGINAL ENROLLEES WERE ENROLLED AS CITIZEN (BY BLOOD / BY ADOPTION / BY MARRIAGE).
ALL AFFAIRS ON THE TRIBAL NATIONS EVEN OF TRAFFIC TOCKETS IS “A CONGRESSIONAL MATTER” ONLY.
PLUS, A TRIBAL PERSON IS NEVER SUPPOSED TO BE EXECUTED.
CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CRIMES HAS TO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION BUT A STATE CANNOT GOVERN ANY TRIBAL ENROLLEES OR ENTITLED ENROLLEES. THEY ARE UNDER THE FEDEEAL GOVERNMENT ONLY.
1st DEED DOCUMENTS ON LAND WAS ISSUED ONLY BY MILITARY TO MILITARY OFFICER FAMILY MEMBERS. ITS NEVER BEEN REMOVED FROM DOD.
PEOPLE ESPECIALLY ATTORNEYS AND JUDGES BETTER GET BETTER EDUCATED ON TRUTH OF LAW ON TRIBES AND MILITARY.
AND THE LAW HAS HEIRS. CROOKS GOT IT SOLD AWAY FROM MILITARY FAMILY MEMBERS.
IT HAS LEGAL HEIRS.
BUT TRIBAL NATIONS ARE EQUAL TO THAT OF STATEHOODS.
AT LEAST 4 OF THE 5 CIVILIZED TRIBES DESCEND FROM WHITEMEN. THE WHITEMALES SERVED IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR 1770s THEN EACH WAS TAKEN TO AREA OF 4 TRIBES AND HE WAS MARRIED TO DAUGHTER OF CHOSEN CHIEF.
CHOCTAW ANCESTRY WHOTEBOY WAS NATHANIEL FOLSOM BORN 1753. KIN TO NATHANIEL FOLSOM BORN 1726 OLDEST FOUNDING FATHER OF AMERICA. HE HELD SENIORITY.
It’s like they pick and choose when treaty matters ! Their obligation should be to their people. Not the White Mans Government . In cooperating with the state they are choosing to give up power. And it’s a sad day in Indian country .
If I am a man of God may the lord open the heavens so that the fire may come down and consume those whom stay silent