Soldier Accused of Ordering a Murder that was Botched

[Gimarie330]

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Jan 10,1999
Soldier accused of ordering a murder that was botched

KILLEEN, Texas (AP) - A Fort Hood soldier is being court-martialed on two
murder charges stemming from 1997 slayings allegedly carried out by members of
her gang.

One of the alleged hit men has testified that the wrong men were killed.

Spc. Jacqueline Billings, 27, is identified by Army prosecutors as the local
head of a national gang known as the Gangster Disciples. She is charged with
two counts of murder.

Spc. James Green III, 21, testified Friday that he was one of three gunmen who
were told to kill Basel Maaz, the manager of a nightclub, the Killeen Daily
Herald reported.

Instead, the prosecution alleges, Green and two others shot to death Dorian
Ellsworth Castillo, 21, and Robert Jharel Davidson, 31, on July 17, 1997.

Green testified that Ms. Billings told him about the mistake several days
later. The testimony came on the third day of Ms. Billings' court-martial,
which continues today.

The prosecution alleges that Ms. Billings ordered Green and two others, through
a gang lieutenant, to kill Maaz because of a perceived slight toward her.

Green testified that Ms. Billings told him to see a man identified as Erik
Slaughter because some work needed to be done. Slaughter told him who was to be
killed and provided guns and equipment for the botched assassination, Green
said.

But later Ms. Billings told him the wrong men had been killed, Green testified.

``The accused had a copy of a newspaper and pointed out the wrong people were
shot,'' he said. He testified that when asked if they should try again, Ms.
Billings said no.

On the night of the shooting, Green testified, he drove to the City Lights
nightclub, where Slaughter pointed out Maaz's white car in the parking lot.

Green testified that he and two other men followed the white car after it left
the parking lot.

After the car reached Maaz's house, the shooting began. Green said it was over
in 30 seconds - police recovered nine empty shells from two guns.

But the intended target, Maaz, was already home before the shooting. The two
men who died were driving his car from the nightclub to his home, police said.

Defense attorney Capt. David Bizar said prosecutors initially were planning to
seek the death penalty against Green but instead offered a sentence of 40 years
in exchange for his testimony.

Green told the jury that he was a member of the Gangster Disciples, also known
as Growth and Development. He said he joined the gang at Fort Hood, and said
his initiation consisted of being beaten up.

``I was jumped by six individuals at the apartment of Jacqueline Billings,'' he
said.

Green said the gang was well-developed and supportive.

``It is one of the strongest organizations I have ever seen in my life,'' he
testified.