THE KILLERS of David Ward tried to bluff detectives into thinking he was the victim of a gang-land slaying.

The walls of Mr Ward's house were defaced with black paint after he was strangled and words associated with notorious gangs in the area were daubed on the walls in the house.

But they were misspelled and none of the gangs uses black paint as a trade mark.

Unemployed Aaran Foust, 24, who was known as 'Conan' and Jarmal Brown, 24, an engineering student at the University of Texas in Arlington, were believed to have gone to Mr Ward's house looking for money.

They are thought to be known drug users along with Mr Ward's former flatmate Travis Dehorney Jr, who used crack cocaine.

Police believe robbery was only part of the motive and are still looking for items taken from the victim's home.

Police spokesman Lt Mark Kratz said: "The overall motive still remains to be seen."

Mr Ward was due to fly to Britain to visit his family. When he failed to arrive, his brother filed a missing person's report with Dallas police.

Officers could not get an answer and called a lock-smith who gained entry to the house, where the grim discovery was made. His hands had been tied with wire.

His BMW car was later found burned-out in neighbouring Shady Valley Drive, in Arlington, and two men were seen leaving the scene.

It is believed the men charged with the murder may have been known to Mr Ward from 'social encounters.'

They were also well known in the area for throwing wild parties.

The men will remain in jail until a trial date is set. Texas has one of the highest records for carrying out the death penalty. Eight people have gone to the chair in the state in the last two months.

Arrangements are being made for Mr Ward's body to be returned to Blackburn for a funeral service. His younger brother is thought to have visited America, where he has talked to police.

A memorial fund has also been set up in Mr Ward's name by stunned colleagues at the hospital.

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