Triggerman convicted in Sweeney murder trial
BY BILL BRAUN World Staff Writer
Friday, August 24, 2012
8/25/12 at 1:54 AM
A Tulsa man was found guilty Friday of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the killing of Tulsa businessman Neal Sweeney.
Terrico Bethel, 26, was sentenced to life without parole on the murder charge and 10 years in prison on the conspiracy charge. He was also fined $15,000.
Formal sentencing is set for Aug. 28.
Jurors returned to the courthouse at noon Friday to get instructions from District Judge Tom Gillert and to hear closing arguments by attorneys. Deliberations began shortly after 3 p.m.
Bethel, who prosecutors say was the triggerman, was on trial alone on counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Sweeney, 63, was shot in the head on Sept. 4, 2008, at his business, Retail Fuels Marketing, 3158 S. 108th East Ave. He died the next day.
Mohammed Aziz, who operated two convenience stores in Tulsa and one in Collinsville, testified Thursday that he paid to have Sweeney killed.
Sweeney's business sold gasoline to convenience stores, and Aziz was a customer.
Read more in Saturday's Tulsa World.
Associated Images:
Neal Sweeney. MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World File
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