DRUG DISPUTE BEHIND KILLING, PROSECUTOR TELLS JURY

The underworld of a Colombian drug-smuggling operation is the backdrop this
week for a murder trial in Baton Rouge.

Jaime "Jimmy" Maduro, 24, of Houston is charged with second-degree murder
in the death of Troy Jason Thaggart.

Second-degree murder is punishable by a mandatory sentence of life in prison.

Thaggart, 34, was found shot to death in September 2000 inside his
grandmother's house at 1616 Rosenwald Road.

In his truck, police found Thaggart's passport, which indicated he had
traveled to Colombia.

Prosecutor Tracey Barbera told jurors during opening statements Wednesday
that Thaggart smuggled drugs into the United States from Colombia by
swallowing pellets of heroin.

A problem arose when Thaggart allegedly swallowed 31 heroin pellets but
only turned in 23 pellets to his boss in Texas, Barbera said.

The name of the alleged drug boss or his whereabouts could not be confirmed
Wednesday.

Maduro came to Baton Rouge to confront Thaggart about the missing heroin,
Barbera said.

When Thaggart didn't give him the eight missing pellets, Maduro shot him
eight times, Barbera said.

"Drugs and a life," Barbera said. "Which has more value?"

Barbera urged jurors to listen carefully to the taped statement Maduro gave
to law-enforcement authorities after the slaying.

"Listen to what he didn't say," she told the jury.

Maduro doesn't paint a scenario of self-defense, she said.

Defense attorney Tommy Damico didn't deny that Maduro shot Thaggart or that
the men sold drugs.

Damico told jurors that Maduro was the pawn of a fearsome boss in the
Houston drug world.

Thaggart stole some of the heroin he brought back from Colombia and planned
to sell it on the streets in Baton Rouge, Damico said.

The boss heard about it and told Maduro to retrieve the stolen heroin or
bring Thaggart to Houston, he said.

Maduro's life and his family's life would have been at risk if he didn't
comply, Damico said.

Maduro drove to Baton Rouge and pleaded with Thaggart to produce the
missing heroin or return with him to Houston, he said.

Thaggart agreed to go to Houston and went inside his house to get a bag,
Damico said.

He came out with an arrogant, aggressive attitude and no bag, Damico said.

Thaggart made motions toward his waist, leading Maduro to think he was
armed, Damico said.

"Jimmy thought he was about to be shot," he said. "He pulled a gun and
opened fire."

Damico said Maduro's actions don't rise to second-degree murder.

The trial continues today in state District Judge Richard Anderson's court.