Idaho Jury to Begin Deliberations in Murder Case

NAMPA, Idaho (AP) — A Canyon County jury is poised to begin deliberations in the case of a Nampa man accused in the shooting death of another man last year. Defense lawyers for 33-year-old Gregory Higgins Jr., rested their case Tuesday, setting the stage for final arguments Wednesday in the first-degree murder trial.

Prosecutors allege Higgins and two other men lured 27-year-old James Groat to Lake Lowell last August for a drug deal. Investigators believe Higgins and the two men gave Groat a shovel, told him to dig his own grave and then shot him five times.

Investigators say the shooting unfolded after Higgins mistakenly accused Groat of being a police informant. A jury of 10 women and four men has been taking testimony since the trial began July 10.