They stand accused of murder-for-hire and being enforcers for a drug operation so big a defense attorney called it “the largest drug conspiracy enterprise in Baltimore I?ve ever heard of.”
Now the fates of “Itchy-Man” and “Bam” rest in the hands of a federal jury.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys presented their final arguments in the murder-for-hire and drug conspiracy trial of “Itchy-Man” Solothal Thomas, 30, and “Bam” Edward Countess, 30, both of Baltimore, in U.S. District Court on Wednesday.
The two men are accused of shooting and killing Jesse Williams, 22, of the 8200 block of Courtland Manor Road in Baltimore, for a payment of $10,000, which they split with other conspirators, prosecutors allege.
But defense attorneys urged the jury not to believe that tale ? arguing that prosecutors? cases rely too heavily on the testimony of men who have been convicted of playing roles in Williams? death and are flat-out lying.
“We ask you to scrutinize these lying murderers,” said Silver Spring attorney Teresa Whalen, who is representing Thomas.
Countess? attorney, Joseph McCarthy of Alexandria, Va., echoed that argument, saying Thomas? older brother, Danta, 35, who testified for the prosecution, once tortured a man with a hammer, bleach and a bathtub.
“If he will torture, he will lie,” McCarthy said.
Prosecutors allege that between 2001 and 2003, Thomas and Countess were part of a large marijuana distribution conspiracy that included two former Central Booking employees and that was run by Tyree Stewart, 32, of Baltimore. Prosecutors said the men acted as enforcers by committing acts of violence to help protect the organization?s dominant position in Baltimore, where the organization distributed more than 20,000 pounds of marijuana.
Defense attorneys said Stewart was the “president” of the operation and testified for the government as part of a “deal” to win favor.
Prosecutors disputed that, arguing that the defendants “savagely” shot Williams 15 times in retaliation for a robbery.
“Our job is to make sure each and every one of them is off the streets,” Jason Weinstein of the U.S. Attorney?s Office told jurors. “… They?re not good guys [but] regardless of what you may think about them, you should believe them.”
The jury is expected to deliberate on the case today.
