Murder trial will focus on lives of crack dealers

Wednesday, March 30, 2005 | 9:28 a.m.

The trial of a 24-year-old man charged with killing a 43-year-old woman was set to resume today in a case that both the prosecutor and defense attorney agree will offer jurors a look at the hard realities of the world of street-level crack dealers and prostitutes.

Charles "Boss Hog" Summers is charged with murder with use of a deadly weapon and two counts of attempted murder with use of a deadly weapon in connection with the Dec. 29, 2003, killing of Donna Diehl at the La Palm Motel on Fremont Street.

In opening arguments before District Judge Stewart Bell on Monday, Chief Deputy District Attorney Marc DiGiacomo said although Diehl was a "crack addict, had methamphetamine in her system and prostituted herself on Fremont Street" there was "no reason for her to die."

DiGiacomo said Summers, a big-time crack dealer, had entrusted a small-time crack dealer named Fred "Ice Cream" Ameen to rent a room at the La Palma Motel strictly for the purpose of selling crack. Summers one rule was that no one was allowed to use the drug in the room, according to the prosecutor.

DiGiacomo said upon arriving at the room on Dec. 28, 2003, Summers found Ameen, Diehl and several other crack users and prostitutes smoking the drug, and he became incensed.

"He (Summers) entered the room and said 'Why are all these people here, you're only supposed to be selling crack here, not smoking it,' " DiGiacomo said.

The prosecutor said Summers then allegedly turned to Diehl, who was sitting on the bed with a deck of cards, and asked Ameen "Does she know who I am? Do you know me?"

DiGiacomo said although Ameen proceeded to tell Summers that Diehl knew Summers was "the man," Summers pulled out a gun and "shot in her the head, execution style." He said Summers and another man then fled.

The prosecutor said although jurors might question the credibility of the admitted crack users who will take the stand, they should not question that Summers was the man who murdered Diehl.

Special Public Defender Randall Pike said Summers was framed for the murder by Ameen because with Summers in prison, Ameen and friend and fellow crack dealer Al "Foul Al" Page could take over Summers' crack-selling operation.

Pike said Ameen shot Diehl and then he got everyone who was at the scene to tell the police Summers was the culprit.

Pike said Ameen was Diehl's pimp and on the street such a relationship is the equivalent to slavery. He said in Ameen's mind Diehl was "expendable property" if it meant Ameen could take over Summers' business by framing him for her death.

DiGiacomo said Ameen is expected to testify.

The prosecution is scheduled to continue its case this morning.