A Jamaica woman pleaded guilty to conspiring to hire a hitman to kill multiple witnesses that were scheduled to testify in her boyfriend’s pending home invasion cases.
Latisha Larrymore, 33, was arrested in May 2016 and was being held without bail. Larrymore pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree conspiracy on Wednesday.
Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 17, 2018, where a judge indicated that Larrymore would be sentenced to six to 18 years in prison.
According to charges in the underlying case, Larrymore’s boyfriend, Edward Leasure, then 36, of Jamaica, was charged with committing two armed home invasions on March 16, 2015. He was arraigned on March 18, 2015, on burglary, robbery, weapons possession and other charges and was held in jail in lieu of $200,000 bail.
Following Leasure’s arrest, Larrymore conspired with Leasure’s father, Eddie Marcus, to hire a hitman to murder the witnesses due to testify at Leasure’s pending home invasion trial from April 29, 2016, and May 12, 2016. According to charges, Marcus allegedly approached a person known to the investigation and asked them to kill multiple witnesses who were set to testify at his son’s trial for money.
It is also alleged that Marcus provided the names and addresses of the witnesses and a time frame within which the murders should be completed. As part of the conspiracy, Larrymore had recorded conversations with the “hitman” where she discussed the payment for his services and the means by which the murders should be carried out. Additionally, Larrymore advised the individual that she knew someone who could sell him a gun and a silencer.
Larrymore was arrested and told police that Leasure was worried about witnesses in his trial. She received a call from Leasure, who told her to meet with Marcus and that Marcus found a “lawyer” who will take care of the situation. In this case, “lawyer” was the code word for hitman.
Larrymore also stated to police that the hitman wanted $4,000 up front and that she told the hitman that the rest of the money would be paid after Leasure was out of jail.
On Aug. 22, 2016, Leasure pleaded guilty to second-degree conspiracy in the conspiracy to commit murder case and first-degree burglary. He was sentenced to 12 to 24 years in prison on his conspiracy plea and 24 years in prison on his burglary plea. The case against Marcus is presently pending trial.
“In an attempt to help her boyfriend avoid punishment by intimidating or eliminating potential witnesses against him, the defendant now finds herself facing serious time behind bars,” said District Attorney Brown. “Witness protection is a top priority for law enforcement and when we learn of plans like the one the defendant participated in, we do everything in our power to stop them. Our success here demonstrates that law enforcement is capable of thwarting criminals’ plots and that those who attempt such conduct will face strong laws and tough penalties.”
