The girlfriend of a Queens man — who was being held on Rikers Island in lieu of bail and awaiting trial on two armed home invasions — has been sentenced to 5 to 15 years in prison for plotting with the defendant and his father to hire a hitman to kill multiple witnesses slated to testify at trial.
“In an attempt to help her boyfriend avoid punishment by intimidating or eliminating potential witnesses against him, this defendant risked her own freedom and it was a gamble that did not pay off,” said District AttorneyBrown. “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 criminal plots and that those who attempt such conduct will face strong laws and tough penalties. The defendant, as a result of her actions, is going to prison for a long time.”
Latisha Larrymore, 33, of 146th Street in Jamaica, pled guilty to second-degree conspiracy in January.
Authorities say that the defendant’s boyfriend Edward Leasure, was charged with committing two armed home invasions on March 16, 2015. In both instances, Leasure’s actions inside the residences placed the occupants in fear of serious physical injury and death. Leasure was held in lieu of $200,000 bail following his arraignment in Queens Criminal Court on March 18, 2015. District AttorneyBrown said that, according to the charges in the conspiracycase, Larrymore and Leasure’s father, Eddie Marcus, conspired with Leasure between April 29, 2016, and May 12, 2016, to hire a hitman to murder witnesses due to testify at Leasure’s then-pending home invasion trial.
Specifically, Marcus approached a person known to the investigation and asked the individual to kill multiple witnesses who were set to testify at his son’s trial in exchange for money. Marcus provided the names and addresses of the witnesses and a time frame within which the witnesses should be killed.
Conversations Larrymore held were recorded and included discussions about payment for services and how the hits should be carried out. She even advised the hitman where he could get a gun with a silencer.
When arrested,Larrymoretold police that Leasure was worried about witnesses and that he called and told her to meet with his father who had found a “lawyer” who will take care of the situation. The word “lawyer” was code for hitman.
The hitman wanted $4,000 up front and was told the rest of the money would be paid when Leasure was released from jail.
