Four men accused of orchestrating the murder-for-hire of a witness from Baltimore County face federal charges that could bring the death penalty, according to an indictment unsealed yesterday.
Investigators used cell phone records to establish a direct link between the inmate suspected of ordering the killing, Patrick Albert Byers Jr., and the Bloods gang members who expected to receive up to $2,500 to carry it out, court papers and sources close to the investigation said.
One of the suspected junior gangsters, a 15-year-old nicknamed "Brazy," received $100 for gunning down Carl Stanley Lackl in July, according to sources who declined to be named because they were not authorized to discuss the case.
At a news conference yesterday in Baltimore, U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein, whose office took over the investigation at the request of county prosecutors, said the indictment should send a "crystal clear" message that those who kill or intimidate witnesses will face severe punishment. The state's top federal prosecutor declined to comment on the role of the Bloods.
State and federal authorities say Lackl's killing was ordered to stop him from testifying against Byers at a Baltimore murder trial. The original murder case against Byers is pending, according to Baltimore State's Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy.
Lackl's relatives said they were pleased that federal prosecutors were handling the case.
"We're just glad that it looks like things are coming together and justice is going to be served," said his sister, Kim Underwood.
Lackl's mother, Marge Shipley, said she was sure that federal prosecutors "will be able to do their best," but that she did not want to speak more for fear of jeopardizing the trial.
The federal indictment unsealed yesterday named four defendants: Byers; Frank Keith Goodman, 22; Steven Thompson, also known as "L-Tigga" and "Trigger"; and Michael Jerome Randle, aka "L-Killa." Federal prosecutors declined to say why the other defendants who still face state charges were not included.
Federal charges against the four include conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and gun- related crimes. If convicted of the most serious charges, they face a minimum of life in prison without parole and a maximum penalty of death.
