Media

Deputies Charge Man In “Murder For Hire” Scheme

Release Date: January 13, 2006

One man has now been charged in a plot to kill a witness in a murder case. Investigators say the plot was originated by members of a local criminal gang.

Sheriff’s Deputies, in conjunction with prosecutors with the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office, today charged Ladarius Cowan, 19, of Memphis, with Criminal Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder.

Last night, just after nine o’clock, Cowan and three other men drove a white Mercury to a Frayser drug store parking lot at the corner of James at Rangeline.

That’s where another person was to give Cowan several thousand dollars to kill the witness. The killing was to occur last evening.

However, Deputies with the Sheriff’s Office Gang Unit heard about the plot a couple of days ago. They, and other undercover Deputies with the Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit, were stationed at the drug store parking lot and observed the money transaction for the murder take place.

That’s when they converged on the suspects’ vehicle. The driver attempted to speed away but their car hit an undercover Sheriff’s Office sport utility vehicle that had blocked the parking lot exit. There was only minor damage to both vehicles.

Two of the three other suspects in the car with Cowan received cuts and bruises and were treated and released at The Med.

This afternoon, Cowan is being held on a $ One Million bond. His first court appearance will be on January 17, 2006, in General Sessions Division 10.

Because the investigation is on-going and that other potential witnesses in the murder case might be harmed, investigators are not revealing specifics about the investigation connected to Cowan’s arrest.

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