For the third time this year, convicted drug runner Oin Oakstar told jurors he and Albert Gaxiola discussed killing Raul Junior Flores for months, but no concrete plans were made until Minuteman American Defense founder Shawna Forde arrived in Arivaca.
Oakstar spent all day Tuesday on the stand, the start of the second week of Gaxiola's capital murder trial.
Jurors have heard testimony that Flores, 29, and his wife and daughter were shot on May 30, 2009, after letting two people claiming to be U.S. Border Patrol agents inside their Arivaca home.
Flores and Brisenia Flores, 9, were killed; Gina Gonzalez, 33, survived gunshot wounds to her shoulder and leg.
Oakstar testified that he and Gaxiola decided to kill Flores in late February, early March 2009, after realizing they'd mistakenly stolen 400 pounds of marijuana from Flores instead of another man.
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They believed Flores would retaliate, and they spoke of one or the other of them shooting Flores if they ever found him alone, Oakstar said. That never happened, but Gaxiola continued to talk about killing Flores and six other drug competitors, Oakstar said.
In mid-May 2009, Oakstar said Gaxiola introduced him to Forde, who wanted to take Flores' drugs and money to help fund her border watch organization.
He was also introduced to Jason Bush, who he was told was a sniper, Oakstar said.
On May 29, 2009, he showed Forde and Bush good places near the Flores home where Bush could get a shot at Flores, Oakstar testified.
He learned of the murders the next day, Oakstar said.
He was taken into custody the same day and questioned about the murders, but denied knowing anything, Oakstar said.
However, after he was arrested on a weapons charge, he later pleaded guilty as part of a deal with prosecutors that requires him to testify against Gaxiola, Bush and Forde.
Bush and Forde were convicted earlier this year and are on Arizona's death row.
Defense attorney Jack Lansdale attacked Oakstar's credibility based on the favorable plea agreement, his long criminal history, his history of substance abuse and mental health issues.
Although Oakstar told prosecutors he implicated the defendants because "a small girl had been killed," he admitted to Lansdale he waited months to tell his story to authorities.
Oakstar also admitted he violated probation numerous times before his probation officer asked for it to be revoked.
In addition, Oakstar said he has had an "unreasonable amount of delusions," auditory hallucinations and memory issues.
Pima County Superior Court Judge John Leonardo is presiding over the trial.
Contact reporter Kim Smith at 573-4241 or kimsmith@azstarnet.com
