Kissel slaying suspect accused of murder for hire
Newsday - Greenwich And Stamford's Paper Of Record
NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The slaying of Greenwich developer Andrew Kissel was a murder for hire, state prosecutors said Wednesday as they upgraded the charges against one of two suspects to capital felony.
Prosecutors filed papers in Stamford Superior Court alleging that Carlos Trujillo hired his cousin, Leonard Trujillo, to kill Kissel for money.
Based on that theory, authorities added a new capital felony charge against 21-year-old Leonard Trujillo of Worcester, Mass., who was already charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Carlos Trujillo, 47, of Bridgeport is charged with conspiracy to commit murder in the stabbing death of Kissel at his Greenwich mansion in 2006.
Announcing the murder-for-hire theory was the first time authorities have disclosed a motive for Kissel's killing.
The new charge makes Leonard Trujillo eligible for the death penalty, although it was not immediately clear whether prosecutors will seek to have him executed.
A telephone message was left for Stamford State's Attorney David Cohen. Capital felony carries only two punishments: lethal injection or life in prison without the possibility of release.
Leonard Trujillo's lawyer, Mark Sherman, said his client continues to maintain his innocence.
"The state is free to charge him with whatever they want, but innocent is innocent no matter what the penalty is," Sherman said. "My client's position is not going to change."
Lindy Urso, attorney for Carlos Trujillo, said he did not expect the state to pursue the death penalty. He also said he did not expect his client to face capital felony charges, noting that he is not even charged with murder.
"It certainly doesn't change the fact that neither of these individuals was involved with the murder of Andrew Kissel," Urso said.
Urso also challenged the allegation that his client hired his cousin to kill Kissel.
"It's a theory that will have to be tested in open court with admissible evidence," Urso said. "We're looking forward to the opportunity to test the theory."
Prosecutors also said in court papers that the defendants cannot be tried together because one made admissions to police that allegedly incriminate both of them.
Urso said his client did not make admissions. Sherman declined further comment.
Arrest affidavits have been sealed in the case, but a judge is expected to issue a ruling soon on whether to unseal portions.
Kissel's brother, Robert, was a wealthy banker whose wife was convicted of murder in Hong Kong in September 2005 and sentenced to life in prison after feeding him a milkshake laced with drugs and then beating him to death in November 2003.
Please see:
Also Please See:
06/09/08 Inner Tube: John Stamos to star in 'Killing Mr. Kissel'
It looks like the Greenwich Newspaper's forgot all about the Greenwich Millionaire Murder Mystery Story. Please check back to Newsday or Greenwich Roundup for all the latest news about the brothers charged in the Kissel murder.
GreenwichRoundup@gmail.com
Newsday - Greenwich And Stamford's Paper Of Record
NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The slaying of Greenwich developer Andrew Kissel was a murder for hire, state prosecutors said Wednesday as they upgraded the charges against one of two suspects to capital felony.
Prosecutors filed papers in Stamford Superior Court alleging that Carlos Trujillo hired his cousin, Leonard Trujillo, to kill Kissel for money.
Based on that theory, authorities added a new capital felony charge against 21-year-old Leonard Trujillo of Worcester, Mass., who was already charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Carlos Trujillo, 47, of Bridgeport is charged with conspiracy to commit murder in the stabbing death of Kissel at his Greenwich mansion in 2006.
Announcing the murder-for-hire theory was the first time authorities have disclosed a motive for Kissel's killing.
The new charge makes Leonard Trujillo eligible for the death penalty, although it was not immediately clear whether prosecutors will seek to have him executed.
A telephone message was left for Stamford State's Attorney David Cohen. Capital felony carries only two punishments: lethal injection or life in prison without the possibility of release.
Leonard Trujillo's lawyer, Mark Sherman, said his client continues to maintain his innocence.
"The state is free to charge him with whatever they want, but innocent is innocent no matter what the penalty is," Sherman said. "My client's position is not going to change."
Lindy Urso, attorney for Carlos Trujillo, said he did not expect the state to pursue the death penalty. He also said he did not expect his client to face capital felony charges, noting that he is not even charged with murder.
"It certainly doesn't change the fact that neither of these individuals was involved with the murder of Andrew Kissel," Urso said.
Urso also challenged the allegation that his client hired his cousin to kill Kissel.
"It's a theory that will have to be tested in open court with admissible evidence," Urso said. "We're looking forward to the opportunity to test the theory."
Prosecutors also said in court papers that the defendants cannot be tried together because one made admissions to police that allegedly incriminate both of them.
Urso said his client did not make admissions. Sherman declined further comment.
Arrest affidavits have been sealed in the case, but a judge is expected to issue a ruling soon on whether to unseal portions.
Kissel's brother, Robert, was a wealthy banker whose wife was convicted of murder in Hong Kong in September 2005 and sentenced to life in prison after feeding him a milkshake laced with drugs and then beating him to death in November 2003.
Please see:
Kissel Slaying Suspect Accused Of Murder
Connecticut prosecutors say the slaying of Greenwich developer Andrew Kissel was a murder for hire and they upgraded the charges against one of two suspects to capital felony....Conn. says killer hired in developer's slaying
Boston Globe
AP / June 12, 2008 NEW HAVEN - The slaying of Greenwich developer Andrew Kissel was a murder for hire, state prosecutors alleged yesterday, as they upgraded ...
More:
Greenwich slay suspect accused of murder for hire
Lower Hudson Journal news, NY
By AP • June 11, 2008 NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Connecticut prosecutors say the slaying of Greenwich developer Andrew Kissel was a murder for hire and they ...
Kissel slaying suspect accused of murder for hire
Waterbury Republican American,
Boston Globe
AP / June 12, 2008 NEW HAVEN - The slaying of Greenwich developer Andrew Kissel was a murder for hire, state prosecutors alleged yesterday, as they upgraded ...
More:
Conn. Prosecutors Up Charges In Alleged Murder-For-Hire Plot
WNBC, NY
NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Connecticut prosecutors said the slaying of Greenwich developer Andrew Kissel was a murder for hire and they upgraded the charges ...
WNBC, NY
NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Connecticut prosecutors said the slaying of Greenwich developer Andrew Kissel was a murder for hire and they upgraded the charges ...
Greenwich slay suspect accused of murder for hire
Lower Hudson Journal news, NY
By AP • June 11, 2008 NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Connecticut prosecutors say the slaying of Greenwich developer Andrew Kissel was a murder for hire and they ...
Kissel slaying suspect accused of murder for hire
Hartford Courant
AP NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The slaying of Greenwich developer Andrew Kissel was a murder for hire, state prosecutors said Wednesday as they upgraded the charges ...
Hartford Courant
AP NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The slaying of Greenwich developer Andrew Kissel was a murder for hire, state prosecutors said Wednesday as they upgraded the charges ...
Kissel slaying suspect accused of murder for hire
Waterbury Republican American,
Kissel slaying suspect accused of murder for hire
Boston Herald
By AP NEW HAVEN, Conn. -The slaying of Greenwich developer Andrew Kissel was a murder for hire, state prosecutors said today as they upgraded the charges ...
Boston Herald
By AP NEW HAVEN, Conn. -The slaying of Greenwich developer Andrew Kissel was a murder for hire, state prosecutors said today as they upgraded the charges ...
Kissel Slaying Suspect Accused of Murder For Hire
WTIC, CT
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut prosecutors say the slaying of Greenwich developer Andrew Kissel was a murder for hire and they upgraded the charges ...
WTIC, CT
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut prosecutors say the slaying of Greenwich developer Andrew Kissel was a murder for hire and they upgraded the charges ...
Also Please See:
06/09/08 Inner Tube: John Stamos to star in 'Killing Mr. Kissel'
It looks like the Greenwich Newspaper's forgot all about the Greenwich Millionaire Murder Mystery Story. Please check back to Newsday or Greenwich Roundup for all the latest news about the brothers charged in the Kissel murder.
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UPDATE THURSDAY JUNE 12, 2008
THE GREENWICH TIME WEBSITE
FINALLY GETS THE STORY OUT
A DAY AFTER EVERYONE ELSE
=========================
Please send your comments and news tips toUPDATE THURSDAY JUNE 12, 2008
THE GREENWICH TIME WEBSITE
FINALLY GETS THE STORY OUT
A DAY AFTER EVERYONE ELSE
=========================
Prosecutors charged a suspect in the Andrew Kissel stabbing death with capital felony yesterday, arguing he took money to kill Kissel from his cousin, a co-defendant.
In court papers filed in state Superior Court in Stamford, Assistant State Attorney Paul Ferencek contends that Carlos Trujillo, 47, Kissel's long-time assistant, paid 21-year-old cousin Leonard Trujillo to kill his boss.
In court papers filed in state Superior Court in Stamford, Assistant State Attorney Paul Ferencek contends that Carlos Trujillo, 47, Kissel's long-time assistant, paid 21-year-old cousin Leonard Trujillo to kill his boss.
Until yesterday, authorities had declined to provide a potential motive for the Kissel slaying. The new charge could carry the death penalty, but Ferencek declined to say whether prosecutors would seek that punishment or provide further details about the alleged conspiracy....
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