Testimony continues in alleged triggerman's trial in Neal Sweeney 'murder-for-hire' case

TULSA - The high-profile trial involving an alleged "murder-for-hire" plot continues Wednesday at the Tulsa County Courthouse.

Terrico Bethel is charged with shooting and killing Tulsa businessman Neal Sweeney in his east Tulsa office in September 2008.

After one day of jury selection, opening statements took place Tuesday afternoon and testimony began a short time later.

Bethel is the first of three suspects to stand trial.

Prosecutors believe gas station owner Mohammed Aziz worked with Fred Shields, his brother Allen Shields and their cousin Alonzo Johnson to hire Bethel to kill Sweeney.

Allen Shields agreed to testify against the others, but in April 2011 he killed himself during a police standoff.

Aziz took a plea deal and will not stand trial.

Investigators believe the shooting was retaliation for Sweeney cutting off fuel to Aziz's gas station because of unpaid bills.

Sweeney's secretary and accountant were the first witnesses to take the stand Tuesday. They were there when the gunman stormed into the office.

Sweeney's secretary says the gunman, covered up with a hoodie and sunglasses, went straight to Sweeney's office without a word and fired a gun. She says she ran to hide in her co-workers office and that's when they called 911.

Prosecutors played the 911 tapes that recorded the chaos as Sweeney's coworkers tried to help him while waiting for paramedics to arrive.

During testimony, Sweeney's family crowded together in the courtroom for support.

On the stand Wednesday was Dolan Prejean, the jailhouse informant who caught Bethel on tape admitting to the murder.

Prejean, a fellow gang member who Bethel bonded with while behind bars, testified he decided to talk to police and break "street code" because he gave his life to God.  He said if he didn't share what he knew he would be as guilty as the people who killed Sweeney.

Prejean was wearing a wire when Bethel confessed to shooting Sweeney.

An excerpt from the recording is below:

Bethel:  "I walked by this lady that was screaming.  I walked all the way in.  You see his desk.  Then boom!  Boom!  Boom!"

Several police officers who responded to the scene were then called to testify before Sweeney's business partner, Thomas Howell, took the stand.

Howell said Aziz owed a lot of money on gas at his stations, and in May 2008 Aziz had a default judgment to pay more than $238,000 for his three stations.

Howell testified that Aziz was always behind on his bills and things got heated between Sweeney and Aziz.

Detective Vic Regaldo is now on the stand.

2NEWS Reporter Casey Roebuck is in the courtroom.  Stay with KJRH.com for updates.