LYNWOOD : Trial Ordered in Slaying of Councilwoman’s Husband

The Lynwood city employee charged in the April shooting death of the husband of Lynwood City Councilwoman Evelyn Wells will stand trial for murder this year, a Superior Court judge has ruled. The trial date for suspect Samuel H. Baxter, 31, will be set at the end of this month.

Wells’ husband, Donald Morris, was gunned down in front of his home shortly after he had made public allegations that his wife was having an affair with then-City Manager Laurence H. Adams Sr.

Prosecutors at last week’s preliminary hearing called a witness to the late-night murder who told the court that he saw Baxter shoot Morris after the three had spent the evening together drinking beer. The witness also said Baxter had threatened Morris earlier in the evening as the three men left a Lynwood liquor store.

The prosecution has not disclosed a motive. Sheriff’s investigators have also said that neither Wells nor Adams--who was fired last month--are suspects in the case.