Jury selection begins for third defendant in Neal Sweeney murder case
BY BILL BRAUN World Staff Writer
Tuesday, December 04, 2012
12/04/12 at 6:03 AM
The jury selection process is under way for the trial of a third defendant in the Neal Sweeney murder case.
A pool of about 42 potential panelists for the trial of Alonzo "Jack'' Johnson reported Monday to the courtroom of Tulsa County District Judge Tom Gillert.
The selection process resumes Tuesday.
Sweeney, 63, was shot once in the head on Sept. 4, 2008, at his business, Retail Fuels Marketing, 3158 S. 108th East Ave. He died the next day.
Johnson, 41, is on trial on counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Defense attorney Mark Lyons said that Johnson denies any involvement in the Sweeney killing.
Two defendants who have had separate trials - Terrico Bethel and Fred Shields Jr. - were convicted of murder and conspiracy counts.
Prosecutors say Bethel was the triggerman in a business-related murder for hire.
Convenience store operator Mohammed Aziz, who has admitted paying money to have Sweeney killed, has testified for the prosecution and awaits sentencing for soliciting murder.
Allen Shields, a brother of Fred Shields, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy count and testified for the prosecution at a 2010 preliminary hearing.
Allen Shields died in 2011 of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Original Print Headline: Jury selection begins for suspect in Sweeney killing
Associated Images:
Alonzo Johnson: He faces first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the death of businessman Neal Sweeney. Johnson denies any involvement.
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