Girlfriend: Moore believed he was going to be 'set up' for robbery

The girlfriend of a man shot and killed on New Year's Eve in Marysville testified in court today that he believed he was about to be “set up,” possibly for a robbery.

Opening arguments started today in the murder trial of 21-year-old William V. Silliman, a Beale Air Force airman charged with second-degree homicide in connection with the shooting death of Steven "Sam" Moore. Silliman has pleaded not guilty.

Five other co-defendants have accepted plea deals with the Yuba County District Attorney's Office, including the shooter, Marcus N. Hume.

Yuba County prosecutors said in opening statements that Silliman helped Hume, 38, modify a shotgun that was used to kill Moore and that he drove Hume to and from the crime scene.

Kari F. Mulkey was considered "a principle participant" in the homicide. Mulkey sent a text message to Moore to ensure he would be on Arthur Street, but claimed she did not know Hume intended to kill Moore. She pleaded no contest on Sept. 14 to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 14 years in prison.

Amber Houser, Moore’s girlfriend, was very emotional on the stand in Yuba County Superior Court. On the day Moore was killed, Houser testified, she had received multiple phone calls from Kari Mulkey.

Houser also said in court that Moore said he believed he was about to be “set up,” possibly to be robbed.

She also testified that she saw the truck pull up on Arthur Street next to Moore and saw, who prosecutors identified as Hume, a man leaning out of the passenger side of the truck talking to Moore. Houser said she overheard the man mention one of Moore’s ex-girlfriends, named Roni.

Houser went inside and later heard what was determined to be the shotgun blast. She did not witness the killing.

Houser’s testimony was interrupted today for a lunch break.