Police Say Man Tried To Have Trial Witness Rubbed Out From Jail
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A man facing a hearing on kidnapping and robbery charges is now faces new charges, and so does his girlfriend.
Police say they may have foiled an alleged plot to rub out a witness in the case.
The story begins at an ATM in West Homestead where a man was taken at gunpoint and forced to withdraw money on July 31.
Eventually, as Homestead Police investigated the case, they arrested 25-year-old Isiah Tooks of a North Versailles, charging him with aggravated assault, kidnapping and robbery.
But as Tooks got ready for a preliminary hearing, scheduled before a magistrate in Munhall next week - a hearing during which the alleged victim might testify - investigators monitored his phone conversations from jail.
They say it became clear that Tooks did not want that witness to take the stand.
In a conversation with his girlfriend, Spring King, who is also charged as a conspirator, the criminal complaint quotes Tooks as saying, "I can't have this (expletive) come to court. Make sure you tell Dre that."
Dre is a third party whose full name wasn't disclosed.
"Find out who this is," he said referring to the witness. "I can't have this expletive come to court."
Then, King put Dre on the line, say investigators.
Authorities say Tooks had instructions for him: "Listen, she's gonna give you dude's (expletive) name, bro. I go to court Aug. 13, to the magistrate in Homestead, Munhall. I'll give you the address. Don't let that (expletive) go to court."
And, later, investigators say there was an exchange between Tooks and King.
Tooks: "If this (expletive) does not make it to court, I'm coming home, period."
King: "What do you want me to do, go shoot him, Isiah? What do you want me to do? Go knock him off?"
Tooks: "Well, make sure, like by any means necessary, whatever, like whatever is the most strategic move, and making sure he's not there, then, what (expletive) feel comfortable doing, then do it. But I do not want him at that hearing."
King: "I hear you. I hear you, babe."
Tooks has yet to be arraigned on charges including criminal solicitation to commit homicide, criminal conspiracy to commit homicide and intimidation of witnesses or victims.
King faces charges of criminal conspiracy to commit homicide and intimidation of witnesses or victims.
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