OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) _ As two men facing multiple murder charges stared intensely, a confessed killer testified against his alleged co-conspirators in the assassination-style death of an Oakland journalist investigating a business run by one of the defendants.
Devaughndre Broussard has pleaded guilty to two counts of voluntary manslaughter relating to the deaths of Oakland Post editor Chauncey Bailey and another man in exchange for a 25-year prison sentence. Defense attorneys have called Broussard, who is expected to continue his testimony Tuesday, a liar who has changed his story too many times.
On the stand Monday, Broussard said that he received from Yusuf Bey IV, who ran Your Black Muslim Bakery, both the order to kill Oakland Post editor Chauncey Bailey and the pistol-grip style shotgun that delivered the fatal blast. Bailey was shot in broad daylight on a downtown street in 2007.
"He wanted us to take him out before he completed that article," Broussard said. "Our understanding was to kill him as soon as possible."
Broussard, who was charged in a second death other than Bailey's, has said that killing was also ordered by Bey.
Broussard is expected to deliver more graphic details after testifying that he was ordered to kill Bailey to keep an investigative report focusing on Bey's bakery from being published.
Your Black Muslim Bakery once was an institution in Oakland's black community. It became marred by criminal activity and financial troubles by the time of the shooting.
Bey and co-defendant Antoine Mackey have pleaded not guilty in Bailey's slaying and in two separate murders for which they also are on trial.
Broussard described Mackey's role as more accomplice than mastermind.
Broussard said he and Mackey were ordered by Bey to stake out Bailey and track his movements. They followed Bailey home one night and later met with Bey to do a run-through of the eventual killing.
"Whoever shoot, can't mess up," Broussard said Bey told him.
Broussard said Mackey told him: "Dre', you take the hit."
Attorneys for Bey and Mackey hope to start their cross-examination later this week.
Pictured Above: Chauncey Bailey
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