‘Angels’ foil murder plot
Popular Manchester businessman convicted decade after failed plan to kill PCB chairman
Published:Monday | October 28, 2024 | 12:08 AMLivern Barrett/Senior Staff Reporter
A popular Manchester businessman, who offered another man $60,000 to kill the top executive at the People’s Cooperative Bank (PCB) in the parish so he could have easier access to loans, has been convicted for solicitation to murder.
Marvin Morris, the proprietor of several businesses, was found guilty after a four-week trial that ended in the Manchester Circuit Court on Friday.
His sentencing is set for February 7 next year.
Angela Butler, a loans officer at the bank, who was also on trial for her alleged involvement in the murder-for-hire scheme, was acquitted earlier in the trial after the presiding judge ruled that there was no case for her to answer.
Between October 1 and November 6, 2013 Morris offered Gemral Anderson, the would-be hitman, $60,000 to kill Glenroy Griffiths, then chairman of the PCB, according to evidence presented in court by prosecutors Natallie Malcolm, assistant director of public prosecutions, Afryea Cox and Luke Cook.
Anderson was initially arrested by the police in connection with the plot, but later agreed to become the main prosecution witness.
The would-be hitman gave evidence during the trial that, in September 2013, Morris told him that he knew a lady who “want somebody fi dead and that the lady was willing to pay $60,000”.
He said Morris promised to give him an advance of $10,000 to purchase bullets to carry out the attack.
Anderson said Morris provided the cash advance, but later shelved the plan to use a gun, opting instead for a screwdriver.
He said the businessman gave him the screwdriver along with instructions on how to stab Griffiths.
‘Point him out’
The would-be hitman gave evidence that he did not know Griffiths, but said Morris took him to the bank executive’s offices so he could “point him out”.
He said Griffiths was not at his office that day, so the businessman took him to the home of the PC bank chairman and “show him around”.
Anderson said Morris took him to a garage at the house and showed him where to lay in wait for Griffiths and showed him the escape route he should take.
He said the businessman also gave him a telephone so he could call him to transport him from the home after the incident.
Anderson gave evidence that, on November 6, 2013 Morris transported him to Griffiths’ home about 6:30 p.m.
He said about five minutes later, the businessman called to inform him that the PC bank chairman was on his way home and also provided a description of the motor vehicle he was driving.
However, Anderson said when Griffiths – also a church elder – arrived home he got cold feet and could not go through with the plot.
The would-be hitman said it was “like two angels descended from Heaven because he saw two women with wings”.
He disclosed details of the deadly plot to Griffiths who he said transported him to the Spalding Police Station where he gave another confession.
Anderson said while he was giving a statement to detectives he got several telephone calls from Morris enquiring “if the job done yet?”
He said police investigators overheard the conversation after he placed the phone on speaker and devised a plan to get the businessman to visit the station.
Anderson said, at the direction of the police, he told Morris that he was at the police station charged with possession of ganja and needed bail.
The businessman was arrested when he turned up at the station.
Anderson said he turned over the screwdriver and phone Morris provided to police investigators.
It was revealed during cross-examination that Anderson’s testimony about the businessman’s intention to kill Griffiths differed from the evidence he gave during a preliminary inquiry over a decade ago.
According to his evidence during the preliminary inquiry, there was no intent to harm the PC bank executive.
Instead, he said the plan was to fleece the woman who offered them the contract.
However, during the trial that ended last week, Anderson explained that his evidence over a decade ago was an attempt to try and protect Morris because of their longstanding friendship.
The attorney who represented Morris declined to comment on the case, citing the pending sentencing hearing.