billie and his family were willing to talk about killing nancy. and every time the hit didn t happen, john wanted to know why. billie was the master of outlandish excuses. he had a brain tumor. he had seizures. he had spells. he d done too much dope. the neighbors were home. he [ bleep ] him just as far as he could take it. and john would buy it hook, line and sinker every time. reporter: mr. john s big money scheme to kill nancy howard was an economic bonanza for east texas. according to charlie, billie earl couldn t seem to spend that money fast enough. motorcycles, vehicles for his children, all three of them, a car for his mother, three or four four-wheelers, a couple go-karts for the grandkids, a ski boat. he bought me a riding mower, a four-wheeler, numerous assault weapons. just anything he wanted. reporter: and so for more