Attorney: Ex World Jai Alai security chief is now 'helpless'

A Florida man and former F-B-I agent accused in the 1981 mob-style killing of a Tulsa businessman is confined to a bed with heart problems and is ``helpless'' without assistance. <br><br>That's

Saturday, January 10th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

A Florida man and former F-B-I agent accused in the 1981 mob-style killing of a Tulsa businessman is confined to a bed with heart problems and is ``helpless'' without assistance.

That's according to his attorney, Garvin Isaacs.

He says 78-year-old H- Paul Rico wears a pacemaker, has had three bypass surgeries and takes nine medications each day to maintain his health.

On Thursday, Rico was transported from the Miami-Dade County Jail to the Tulsa County Jail by private air ambulance to face Oklahoma charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder for allegedly shooting Roger Wheeler in the head at Tulsa's Southern Hills Country Club. Wheeler owned Miami's World Jai Alia.

The attorney is requesting a hearing to determine whether Rico should be released on bail or a medical furlough. Until then, he remains in the jail infirmary.