Fort Hood soldier gets life for murder plot

[unhappycamper]

Fort Hood soldier gets life for murder plot
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Aug 29, 2008 17:25:50 EDT

LAMPASAS, Texas — A Fort Hood soldier was sentenced to life in prison without parole for a murder-for-hire plot in which his wife shot to death last summer outside a Veterans of Foreign Wars pool hall.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Donald Dean Gower, 40, was sentenced Thursday after jurors convicted him of capital murder in the death of Hidi Gower. Lampasas County prosecutors did not seek the death penalty.

Her brother, Dan Booth, said the family was happy with the jury’s decision.

Although the murder happened in Kempner, about 20 miles west of Fort Hood in Central Texas, the Army chose not to request jurisdiction, so the case was not tried in a military court.

Gower was accused of offering to pay Jeremiah John Ellison and John Robert Martinez to kill his wife. Ultimately, the shooting was carried out by Chaka Romain Johnson, who was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison in June.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/08/ap_forthoodmurder_082908/%2e