Witness In Murder-For-Hire Case Testifies He Was Offered A Contract To Kill
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A witness has testified he was offered a contract to kill and turned it down, but authorities allege someone else later carried out the contract.
The witness has been challenged by the defense.
The cooperating witness has testified defendant Shamone Woods offered him cash and a car to kill the victim-witness against him in an assault case.
The witness says he declined, but he claims he later had conversations with Woods and the triggerman about the murder. But defense attorney Michael Farrell says Woods maintains his innocence and the witness, who faces federal gun and drug charges and a separate state murder case, has reasons to lie, including to avoid the death penalty.
That will be a fight for trial.
"Both defendants, and the witness, who was brought into court under tight security, are in custody," said Prosecutor Carlos Vega.
Reported by Tony Hanson, KYW Newsradio
