Thursday, 4:30 PM
Slaying suspect caught on tape begging witness to stop testifying
By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff
A man accused of a 2001 shooting was captured on tape in a jailhouse telephone call begging a key prosecution witness to stop testifying in his Suffolk Superior Court murder trial.
As a last piece of evidence, prosecutors played an audio recording for a jury today that they said was an attempt by Jason Meeks, 26, and his sister to stop the witness from coming back to court
"You are crushing me," Meeks said, according to the recording played in court. "You are crushing me, dog."
The witness, Ernest Remy, was once of friend of the defendant and, according to prosecution, linked Meeks to the murder weapon. Meeks spoke to him from the Nashua Street Jail after his sister, LaDawn Meeks, helped him place a three-way call, prosecutors said.
Meeks is charged with murder and attempted murder for a shooting in a Blue Hill Avenue garage in November 2001 that killed Alvaro Sanders, 25, and injured a mechanic.
On Monday night, he implored Remy not to cooperate with authorities, arguing he would only serve a few months in prison if he refused to testify while Meeks faced life in prison. It was difficult to hear Remy’s entire response on the tape, but he indicated that he didn’t have any choice and had to testify.
Remy did not attend court Tuesday and a warrant was issued to compel his appearance. Remy returned to court later in the week and gave testimony that implicated Meeks in the crime.
Closing arguments were expected this afternoon.
