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Arrest in Murder of TU Football Star

Surrounded by detectives, Tulsa Police Chief Ron Palmer announces the arrest in the Neal Sweeney murder. On the screen behind the Chief are a suspect composite and a booking photo of the actual suspect.
KWGS News/click photo to enlarage
Surrounded by detectives, Tulsa Police Chief Ron Palmer announces the arrest in the Neal Sweeney murder. On the screen behind the Chief are a suspect composite and a booking photo of the actual suspect.

By Listen to the Police Chief's Statement

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kwgs/local-kwgs-841329.mp3

Tulsa, OK – TULSA, Okla. (AP) Tulsa police say a a man was charged today with first-degree murder in what police call a contract killing of Tulsa businessman Neal Sweeney.

Meanwhile, investigators say they're still looking for the person who hired the killer.

Police Chief Ron Palmer says 23-year-old Terrico Dion Bethel is charged with the September 4 crime. Bethel has been in jail since February 27 on unrelated charges.

A report filed in Tulsa County District Court says Bethel admitted to the crime Wednesday after being questioned and said he "did it on the behalf of other individuals."

Police Chief Ron Palmer says Sweeney was killed because of a business dispute over the sale of gasoline through his company. Palmer says detectives have followed leads across the country.

The 63-year-old Sweeney was shot at his company Retail Fuels Marketing. He was also a star wingback for the University of Tulsa football team in 1965 and 1966.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.