GREENWOOD — Prosecutors are working to get a trial date for two men involved in a murder-for-hire scheme that targeted a Greenwood attorney.
Assistant District Attorney Timothy Jones told The Greenwood Commonwealth his office will meet with defense attorneys for the two men to try to schedule a trial date once the Leflore County Circuit Court session resumes in April.
Derrick Lacy, 28, and Cordarious Robinson, 25, are each charged for their roles in a shooting at the law office of Lee Abraham.
Prosecutors said the murder-for-hire plot ended April 28, 2012, with the death of gunman Keaira Byrd and the serious wounding Lacy. Byrd allegedly was hired to kill attorney Lee Abraham, who represented Smith’s ex-wife in their divorce years ago. Abraham was not hurt.
Greenwood oncologist Arnold Smith, 73, who was the alleged instigator of the failed plot, has been committed to a state hospital to undergo treatment for mental illness.
Lacy is charged with capital murder for Byrd’s death and conspiracy to commit murder for the alleged plot against Abraham. Authorities said Robinson, who’s been charged with conspiracy to commit murder, reportedly was paid $15,000 by Smith to help locate and hire the gunmen.
Judge Breland Hilburn, who presided over the criminal case against Smith, will also hear the cases against Robinson and Lacy. Hilburn was assigned to the case after all the local circuit court judges recused themselves, citing ties to Abraham.
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