The man who told police he was a driver for other alleged participants pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy to murder.
Orville Gallego, 25, admitted conspiring with four other men between 23 and 27 August 2004 to murder Kurt Karlando Rowe.
Rowe, 20, was a Jamaican national. He died from brain damage caused by multiple gunshot wounds.
Acting Solicitor General Cheryll Richards said the shooting occurred in a small dwelling house at Miss Daisy Lane in the Logwoods area of West Bay around 4pm on Thursday, 26 August.
Witnesses saw two masked men approach the house through a neighbour’s yard. The men’s hands were fully covered. The witnesses fled in terror, but heard two or three shots fired in the vicinity of the house. They then saw the two men run back the way they had come.
Gallegos’ car was linked to the incident. A witness said she saw a male driver, but the windows were heavily tinted and she was unable to see anybody else.
Asked what the motive was for the killing, Gallegos told police that someone named Skinny got orders to kill one of the alleged conspirators. Skinny instructed another man to do the act.
Gallegos said the alleged conspirators became aware of the plan and decided to do something about it. On the day of the shooting, he said he drove partway to the scene. Cars were then switched and three men took his. They returned about five minutes later.
Mr. Justice Dale Sanderson asked about the alleged co-conspirators. He was told that they were all discharged because there was no evidence against them except what Gallegos said.
Gallegos had given witness statements, but declined to give evidence in court. His counsel, Michael Wood QC, said Gallegos was scared for his life and for his family.
Ms Richards said the others could be rearrested if other evidence came to light.
The judged adjourned until the afternoon for sentencing. The maximum for conspiracy to murder is 14 years.
Gallegos was also charged with murder and pleaded not guilty. After his plea to conspiracy, the Crown offered no evidence on murder.
Related Videos
