July 4 NLR killing tied to sex, money

In court files, women detail fight, shots

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— The Independence Day slaying of a North Little Rock man involved women, money and the promise of “sexual services,” according to court records.

Demond Montgomery, 19, was identified by multiple witnesses as the man who fatally shot Michael James Jr. in the back outside of James’ North Little Rock motel room in the early morning of July 4.

Officers, called to the Motel 6 at 400 W. 29th St. just before 2 a.m., found James, 26, bleeding from his chest in the lobby of the motel where he had been living.

He died hours later at UAMS Medical Center in Little Rock.

A day later, witnesses told detectives that Montgomery went to James’ motel room about 1 a.m. in hopes of offering two women to the man, the affidavits said.

Records said Montgomery later decided to rob James.

The affidavit said Montgomery was seen about 1 a.m. with three women whom he was shopping around, and one of the women made reference to “going to hit a lick,” which is slang for a robbery.

Two witnesses told detectives that James offered them $100 each to have sex with him, and they agreed but James told them to come back later so he could run to the bank and get some cash.

Montgomery later went to James’ room with the women, according to reports. At one point, he and James reportedly got into an argument while the two women hid in the bathroom.

The women heard the men fighting, and eventually heard a gunshot, the affidavit said. When they stepped out of the bathroom, they saw James and Montgomery still fighting on the walkway, and the women ran from the room.

Montgomery ran, too, the affidavit said, and passed them on the balcony carrying a black revolver.

Montgomery surrendered to police Monday, police said.

On Tuesday, he pleaded innocent in North Little Rock District Court to capital-murder, aggravated-robbery and firearms charges.

Montgomery was already on probation after he negotiated a guilty plea last November to theft charges filed in June 2011.

In April, he was charged with possession with the purpose to deliver drugs. And June 17, he was arrested and charged with possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia, court records said.

He was in the Pulaski County jail Wednesday evening. No bail amount had been set.

Arkansas, Pages 10 on 07/19/2012

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