Greenwich Roundup: 04/04/08 - Lindy Urso says he doubts more arrests would be made in the case. He predicted the men would have separate trials.

Friday, April 4, 2008

04/04/08 - Lindy Urso says he doubts more arrests would be made in the case. He predicted the men would have separate trials.

Affidavits In Kissel Slaying Are Sealed

THE SOURCE:

The Day

THE QUOTES:

“Carlos has nothing to hide,” Urso said outside of court. “I'm not concerned about anything Carlos said.”

THE STORY:

Stamford — At least one of two men charged in Greenwich developer Andrew Kissel's slaying allegedly made admissions, while witnesses supplied incriminating evidence against both men, attorneys involved in the case said Thursday.

Those alleged admissions and evidence are included in sealed arrest warrant affidavits for 21-year-old Leonard Trujillo of Worcester, Mass., and 47-year-old Carlos Trujillo of Bridgeport. A Stamford Superior Court judge ruled Thursday those records would remain sealed until April 24.

Leonard Trujillo is charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder and his cousin, Carlos Trujillo, is charged with conspiracy to commit murder in Kissel's April 2006 stabbing death in his Greenwich mansion. Kissel was due to plead guilty a few days later in a multimillion-dollar fraud cause.

Patrick Culligan, the lawyer for Leonard Trujillo, says the affidavit contains “numerous” purported statements and admissions by his client that could jeopardize Leonard Trujillo's right to a fair trial if disclosed. Culligan also said Carlos Trujillo made statements, but his attorney, Lindy Urso, said his client did not make admissions....

...Prosecutors said six witnesses who gave incriminating information are worried about their safety and privacy if they are identified. Prosecutors did not object to unsealing the affidavits, but said they first want to remove the names of the six witnesses, saying their concerns were legitimate. Urso said the witnesses had nothing to fear from his client.

Judge Richard Comerford Jr. said he would give the attorneys until April 24 to request some portions be redacted before the affidavits are unsealed. But he said he did not want to keep the whole affidavit sealed as Culligan requested.

Reporters argued in favor of opening the arrest records.

“There's a very very high bar to keep anything sealed,” said Dan Mangan, a reporter for the New York Post.

Carlos Trujillo was Kissel's driver and was the last person known to have seen him alive.

Both defendants appeared in the courtroom with their attorneys Thursday, but did not speak. Carlos Trujillo has pleaded not guilty but Leonard Trujillo has not entered a plea yet because he has a probable cause hearing scheduled for May 21 because of the more serious charge.

Greenwich police will not comment on a motive, saying the investigation is still open ...

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