Hearing postponed for 5 men accused in Sweeney murder-for-hire case

TULSA - A motion for continuance filed Tuesday shows Allen Shields was set to testify as a State's witness in the murder-for-hire case of  Tulsa businessman Neal Sweeney.

First Assistant District Attorney Doug Drummond wrote in the affidavit, "Allen Shields' anticipated testimony is that he recruited co-Defendant Fred Shields to help with the "hit" and that, once the murder took place, he received money from the hit from Mohammed Aziz and delivered the money to co-Defendant Alonzo Johnson and also delivered money to co-defendant Fred Shields."

The preliminary hearing at which Shields would have testified was scheduled for Tuesday. Judge Dana Kuehn granted the state's motion to continue the hearing. It has been rescheduled for October 26th, 2010

James Linger  withdrew as Shield's attorney for reasons unknown to the State. Drummond argued that Shields needs representation before a preliminary hearing can begin.

All 5 men have entered not guilty pleas. Allen Shields is charged with conspiracy to commit murder in the death of Sweeney. He is out of jail after posting more than $1-million in bond money. Police say his brother Fred Shields was also a part of the murder plan.

Terrico Bethel, Mohammed Aziz, and Alonzo Johnson are the other three suspects. Prosecutors say Aziz hired Bethel to kill Sweeney. Court papers say Johnson provided the stolen getaway van used in the murder.

The murder happened in September of 2008. Neal Sweeney was found shot to death in his east Tulsa office. Prosecutors believe it was over a business deal and say Sweeney cut off the gas supply to Aziz's convenience store.