Rare Federal Death Penalty Murder Case Opens in Phila.
An alleged interstate drug kingpin charged with ordering the murder of a witness has gone on trial in Philadelphia, in a rare federal death penalty case.
A federal prosecutor has told a jury that defendant Maurice Phillips ran a massive cocaine operation and ordered a hit that killed two people.
Phillips allegedly dealt tons of cocaine and took in duffel bags full of money -- over $30 million. And prosecutor Maureen McCartney says that when a trusted insider, his money launderer, began cooperating with authorities, Phillips ordered her killed -- and paid his first cousin to do it.
According to McCartney, Bryant Phillips killed Chinetta Glanville and her adult godson who tried to come to her aid.
The admitted hitman is now cooperating with the prosecution and will testify before this jury.
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