Prosecutor: Idaho double murder a contract killing

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - A Pennsylvania man has been ordered held without bail after an Idaho prosecutor said he came to the state and carried out a contract killing that left two men dead.

John C. Douglas, 44, of Reading was arraigned Tuesday in 4th District Court in Boise, Idaho, the Idaho Statesman reports.

"He came here to commit these murders, murder for hire," Deputy Ada County Prosecutor Brian Naugle said. Douglas is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.

Police say Douglas shot Elliott Bailey, 28, and Travontae Calloway, 27, at an apartment in Boise on May 8. Calloway's girlfriend was wounded.

Douglas was arrested July 28 in Reading and extradited to Idaho. A second man arrested in the case, Samari Winn, is accused of taking a gunman to the apartment. He's also charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

Prosecutors have not offered a motive, but Winn's defense attorney has said that the theft of 30 pounds of marijuana led to the shootings.

Douglas took part in the hearing from a video hookup from jail. He sat in a wheelchair and was bound by handcuffs and a chain around his waist.

Twin Falls Prosecuting Attorney Grant Loebs is handling the prosecution because of a conflict of interest in the Ada County prosecutor's office. Loebs declined to comment about the case.

Naugle argued that Douglas should be held without bail because of his prior convictions in Pennsylvania for assault, drug offenses, disorderly conduct and other crimes. Naugle also said Douglas had no Idaho connections and was a flight risk. Douglas is next scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 9.