Melvin L. Traylor, 22, was shot and killed in Oklahoma City in the early morning hours of November 20, 1984, after visiting a residence to buy cocaine. The killing was part of a paid conspiracy: testimony introduced at trial established that drug trafficking leader Benito Jerome Bowie offered payment for Traylor’s murder, initially telling an associate he would pay $7,000 and later arranging for a younger man to do the killing for $5,000.

According to the record, Bowie supplied the plan and directed associates. Roger Britt gave a handgun to Freddie Ervin and took him to the home of his sister, Cathy Britt, where Bowie’s operation was selling drugs. Ervin was told to watch Cathy’s back; when Traylor left after his purchase on November 20, Ervin ambushed and fatally shot him. Bowie later paid Ervin the $5,000.

Bowie was tried and convicted by a jury of first-degree murder in Traylor’s death; the jury did not unanimously impose death, and the court sentenced Bowie to life in prison. Does anyone have information about Traylor’s life or who else might have been involved that could add context to this case?