Hook, 40, was charged with two counts of murder. Authorities say he set up the ambush of Thal and Gilmore on June 27 in front of Thal's apartment, a plot that police believe was intended to be a drug robbery but ended up a double killing. Hook was arraigned yesterday morning and was being held at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility.
Hook's attorney, Christopher Warren, said yesterday he was "infuriated" by police treatment of Hook. He said that Hook's friends and relatives had been harassed and intimidated, and that he had been blocked from seeing Hook earlier this week.
"I intend to move this case forward as soon as humanly possible," Warren said, adding that he would try to put pressure on the District Attorney's Office. "Whatever evidence they have, let's see what they've got. Otherwise, let's dismiss these charges and let this man get back to his family."
Hook, who has been convicted of drug dealing, turned himself in at Police Headquarters on Monday afternoon after learning that authorities were looking for him. Police initially charged him with burglary, saying that early on the morning of June 27, he kicked in the door of an apartment he believed was Thal's. But he had the wrong floor, police said, and the apartment was empty.
Warren said Hook denied any involvement with the shootings or the attempted burglary.
According to Warren, Hook did not know Thal, 34, a local party planner who police have said was involved with the city's drug underworld. Police said that Thal had 4 kilograms of cocaine and more than $100,000 cash in her seventh-floor apartment when she was killed and that they believe Hook knew she would be a good target. Gilmore, 40, a former firefighter who lived in Ohio, is believed to have been one of Thal's drug associates.
Law enforcement sources have described Hook, who has also gone by the names Keith Epps and James Wilson, as an up-and-comer in the drug underworld.
Police said Hook arranged for three gunmen and a lookout to go into Thal's building and wait for her to return. Katoya Jones, a friend of Hook's who lives in the building, let the men in, according to security-camera footage.
The men surprised Thal and Gilmore, then opened fire when Gilmore tried to run, police said.
Jones has been charged with murder from her alleged role in the shootings.
Robert Keith, 27, has been arrested and charged with burglary from allegedly helping Hook kick in the door.
A warrant has been issued for one of the suspected gunmen, Donnell Murchison, 32, and police are searching for two other alleged gunmen and two people believed to have been lookouts.
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