Investigators Check Possible Saudi Link To Clements Murder

DENVER (CBS4)- Detectives have refocused attention on a Saudi man in the investigation into the murder of Colorado Prison Chief Tom Clements.

Investigators believe there is more to the timing of a request that was turned down by Clements just before he was murdered. They want to know if Homaidan Al-Turki may have hired the white supremacist gang, the 211 Crew, to kill Clements.

Al-Turki has been serving eight years to life after being convicted of sexually assaulting and enslaving his Indonesian housekeeper at his Aurora home.

4 On Your Side Rick Sallinger talked to Al-Turki in October 2005 before his trial.

When Sallinger asked, "Do you think this is happening to you because of your religion?" Al-Turki responded, "I am Saudi, I am a Muslim and I think that's an attraction to law enforcement by itself."

Al-Turki filed a request a year ago to serve out his sentence in his home country of Saudi Arabia.

Clements, the head of the Colorado Department of Corrections, had indicated he would approve the transfer.

But that didn't happen after objections from a variety of authorities and Al-Turki's request was later denied.

In a lawsuit in attempt to get the request denial overturned, it states "When Mr. Al-Turki was told (of the approval), he was overcome with emotion and dropped to the floor, praying in gratitude."

That request denial came just one week before Clements was shot to death at his home in Monument.

The car believed to be used in the getaway was found in Texas. The driver, Evan Ebel, a member of the white supremacist prison gang the 211 Crew, was killed in a shootout with police.

In the car police found a gun. Ballistics tests show that gun was used to kill Clements.

The weapon was purchased at a gun store in Englewood. The woman who bought it, Stevie Marie Vigil, was charged with illegally transferring it to Ebel, called a "straw purchase."

Vigil had known Ebel for a long time.

"He is a family friend. He gets out, reacquaints himself with people he's known for 15 to 20 years of his life," said Vigil attorney Normando Pacheco.

The trial for Vigil is set for May.

The lawyers for Al-Turki have vigorously denied that he had anything to do with the Clements murder.