Conn. says killer hired in developer's slaying
NEW HAVEN - The slaying of Greenwich developer Andrew Kissel was a murder for hire, state prosecutors alleged yesterday, 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 Leonard Trujillo, 21, of Worcester, who had already been 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 would seek to have him executed if convicted.
A message left for Stamford State's Attorney David Cohen was not immediately returned. 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, lawyer for Carlos Trujillo, said he does not expect the state to pursue the death penalty. He also said he did not expect his client to face capital felony charges, pointing out that he is not 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 to comment further.
Arrest affidavits have been sealed in the case. 