Norwich murder hearing continued while key witness remains hospitalized
An evidentiary hearing for the accused killer of Jaclyn Wirth was continued for the second time Wednesday because a key witness remains hospitalized.
LaShawn "BI" Cecil, 35, is charged with shooting through the door of Wirth's apartment on Dec. 14, 2011 at 6D East Baltic St. in the Mohegan Park Apartment complex in Norwich, striking her multiple times.
The police allege Cecil worked as a "runner" for drug dealer Harold K. "Haas" Butler, and that he shot Wirth while trying to collect money owed to Butler by Ezekiel "Juney" Boyce, the brother of Wirth's boyfriend.
William Colello, who police allege was driving the men that night, was scheduled to testify at a probable cause hearing in the case on Monday.
Senior Assistant State's Attorney Stephen M. Carney called four witnesses Monday, then asked Judge Hillary B. Strackbein to continue the case until Wednesday because, he said, he learned that Colello had been admitted to the psychiatric ward at The William W. Backus Hospital over the weekend.
On Wednesday morning, Carney told the judge that Colello remains hospitalized and asked for another continuance.
Strackbein continued the case to Thursday afternoon.
Carney said Inspector Rhett D'Amico from his office had spoken to Colello's wife, who said he remains hospitalized. D'Amico told Mrs. Colello that her husband is an important witness in the case who will be expected to testify in court after his release.
Carney has subpoenaed Colello to testify, and if he does not appear, the judge can issue a capias warrant ordering him to be arrested and detained to ensure he appears in court.
Defense attorney William T. Koch Jr. objected to the continuance of the case, but Strackbein said the request was not unreasonable, since the witness remains hospitalized.
"I don't know if he's there voluntarily or involuntarily,” Strackbein said. “Hopefully the state will find out today. The hearing started Monday. It’s only Wednesday. It’s not unreasonable for the state to ask for a continuance.”
Koch also renewed a request to subpoena Colello's medical records and have Strackbein review them to determine if they should be allowed into evidence. The judge denied the motion, "without prejudice," meaning she may reconsider it at a later date. She told Koch on Monday that he would have "a wide latitude" when cross-examining Colello.
k.florin@theday.com
Twitter: @KFLORIN
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