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Victim’s girlfriend testifies he was killed over a business deal
LISBON — A woman described how her boyfriend was shot to death over a deal to sell clothing.
Shirley Hackney started her testimony Friday in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court by telling the jury she has been diagnosed as bipolar but is successfully using medication.
She also told the jury she now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder since the shooting of Jamie A. Farley, of East Liverpool, about 9 p.m. April 22, 2008, in Wellsville.
Farley, 35, died at East Liverpool City Hospital after being shot twice outside 906 Commerce St., the home of Eric M. Dillard, 31, of Wellsville.
Dillard is on trial, charged with murder with a gun specification and illegal possession of a weapon because of previous drug conviction.
He could get 15 years to life in prison if convicted of the murder charge. He claims he shot Farley in self-defense.
Hackney described how a simple business investment with Dillard eventually led to gunplay.
Farley, she said, “liked new clothes.” Her boyfriend, she added, had 300 pairs of shoes.
He would buy shirts and other items from Dillard and would often go to Dillard’s home to look at new merchandise. At other times, “one would call the other one,” about any new arrivals, she said.
“Jamie was a very good customer of Eric Dillard,” Hackney said.
At one point, Dillard and Farley discussed going into business together.
The potential, Hackney said, was to “double or triple” their money.
Sometime after Christmas in 2007, Hackney, Farley, Dillard and his girlfriend sat down at Dillard’s home.
Hackney and Farley gave Dillard about $20,000 to $21,000 in cash. She said she did not remember the exact amount.
Hackney testified, “This opportunity came up, so I thought, ‘Why not?’”
But by April 2008, Hackney and Farley had received only $1,500 from their initial investment.
On April 22, she and Farley went to Dillard’s home. Hackney was in the car with two children and her mother.
Dillard allegedly threatened Farley, who got back in the car. Hackney said she drove away along an alley, then circled around back to Dillard’s home.
She said Farley then got out of the car.
“There were two bursts of light,” she said. “I only saw two and heard two [shots].”
Farley got back into the car. Hackney drove away, but the front passenger door opened and he fell on to the street.
The case continues next week before Judge C. Ashley Pike.
wilkinson@vindy.com