By Associated Press
Tula, ok – Prosecutors mull death penalty in case
TULSA, Okla. (AP) The Tulsa County District Attorney says a man accused of fatally shooting a Tulsa businessman could face the death penalty.
Twenty-three-year-old Terrico Bethel was charged yesterday with first-degree murder in the Sept. 4 death of Neal Sweeney at Sweeney's company, Retail Fuels Marketing.
DA Tim Harris said today the case would meet the legal threshold for the death penalty if Bethel is convicted of taking money in exchange for the killing.
Harris says a review team will meet after Bethel's preliminary hearing to weigh evidence and consider the strength of their case.
Police Major Matt Kirkland says investigators believe the attack stemmed from a business dispute between Sweeney and an associate.
Kirkland says the people involved in putting the crime into motion are the main focus of the probe now.
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Information from: Tulsa World, http://www.tulsaworld.com
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.