Bizarre murder plot allegedly targets DA

TULSA - Police say they've uncovered a bizarre murder plot hatched from jail cells targeting Tulsa County District Attorney Tim Harris.

Friday morning, 2NEWS obtained copies of search warrant affidavits filed with the court clerk.

They detailed  conversations and notes between four men whom investigators say planned to kill the D.A., as well as a witness in a murder case in which one of the men, Alonzo Johnson, is a defendant.

That case, the 2008 murder of Tulsa businessman Neal Sweeney -- an apparent case of murder for hire -- has yet to go to trial.

The motive for the alleged plot to kill the D.A. is apparently anger; it's unclear if Johnson might have thought that Harris' death would somehow hinder the prosecution of the murder case.

According to court records, the entire affair came to light when another jail inmate contacted homicide detectives about conversations he had with Johnson, as well as conversations he overheard among other jail inmates, also named as suspects in the conspiracy.

They include Phillip Summers, suspected in the murder of a couple whose son belonged to a rival gang; Alexander Hall, jailed on complaints of robbery, assault, and drug violations; Gerald Gaines, another alleged armed robber; and Dominic Walker, in jail on a hold for U.S. Marshals and until recently, a trustee.

All of the suspects in the conspiracy have long histories of gang activity, specifically as Hoover Crips.

That witness says Johnson told him that "someone needed to walk into his (Harris') office and put a bullet into his head," and that "Tim Harris will get his."

The witness then went on to detail how he heard Johnson, Summers, Hall, and Gaines discuss aspects of the conspiracy including where Harris' office is located and how money would change hands.

The men allegedly communicated details of the plot to one another using written notes, which they would mark as "For Attorney" to prevent them from being seized or read by authorities.

However, detectives obtained a court order based on the witness' information which allowed them to seize the notes.

A source close to the investigation tells 2NEWS that the D.A. and his family remain under around-the-clock protection.

In a statement released shortly before noon on Friday, Harris wrote:

I deeply appreciate the professionalism and expertise of the Tulsa Police Department in their efforts to insure (sic) my and my family's safety. This is an ongoing investigation and I cannot comment on its progress. We will cooperate fully in an effort to brings this to a successful conclusion. I also appreciate this community's prayers and support throughout this challenging time.