| Updated: 8/21/2012 4:15 pm |
Published: 8/20/2012 10:03 pm
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A jury has been selected for Terrico Bethel's trial.
Bethel is the first of three suspects on trial for the contract killing of businessman Neal Sweeny.
Sweeney was gunned down in his east Tulsa business, Retail Fuels, in September 2008. Prosecutors describe this case as one of the most complex murders, involving conspiracy and greed.
Bethel was the first suspect arrested and is the accused triggerman.
Mohammad Aziz, a convenience store owner, is the alleged mastermind who was in a business dispute with Sweeny over money owed for gasoline.
Aziz is expected to testify against the other suspects in exchange for a lighter sentence.
The two other suspects are Alonzo Johnson and Fred Shields; their trials are scheduled for September 27th.
In April 2011, Allen Shields committed suicide after taking his estranged girlfriend’s daughter hostage in a police barricade.
He testified against his brother, cousin, Aziz and Bethel in exchange for a lighter sentence during the preliminary hearing.
In June, Bethel’s attorney collapsed during jury selection and her doctor would not allow her to return until she was okay.
Security is tight in the courtroom; to get inside you have to show your id, information is recorded and you have to go through a metal detector.
Opening statements are scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
