<!--Rick Pfeiffer--><table width="234" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" background="http://static.cnhi.zope.net/flashpromo/niagaragazette/images/byline_234x60.jpg" height="60"><tr><td><div align="center"><font size="3" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">By Rick Pfeiffer</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></font><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="mailto:rick.pfeiffer@niagara-gazette.com">rick.pfeiffer@niagara-gazette.com</a></font></div></td></tr></table>
With a trial date looming in March, a new twist has emerged in the murder trial of Darnell Carter.
Prosecutors, in a letter to defense lawyers and Niagara County Court Judge Sara Sheldon Sperrazza, said three confidential jailhouse informants have come forward in the case.
The revelation led to a demand from Carter’s lawyers for more information on what the informants have told prosecutors. However, Assistant District Attorney Brian Seaman told Sperrazza he was still in the process of finding out what the informants know.
Carter, 23, 416 12th St., is charged with two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree robbery and one count each of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and first-degree criminal use of a firearm in the slaying of Falls landlord Robert Biggs on March 20.
Police have said Carter was the triggerman in what they believe was a robbery attempt gone bad outside of an apartment building Biggs owned in the 1500 block of Pierce Avenue. Sources close to the investigation have told the Gazette that Carter had accomplices and suggested as many as three other suspects could be charged in the case.
Prosecutors have confirmed their investigation of the killing is “ongoing,” but Carter remains the only person charged in the case so far.
According to the letter, one of the informants would testify that “he saw Darnell Carter and (another suspect) shooting at Biggs on the night of the murder.” A second informant would reportedly testify that another suspect in the case confessed to him that he had shot Biggs.
Public Defender Christopher Privateer demanded copies of any written statements taken from the informants and their names so he could interview them. Seaman said he didn’t believe there were any written statements.
“If there’s somebody out there who says my guy did it and someone who said he saw (another suspect) do it, I want to know what else that guy said,” Privateer demanded.
Prosecutors declined to say what information they have obtained from the third informant. Privateer also said he was unaware of what that person may have said.
