Witness intimidation played role in acquittal

One of three men charged with the murder of store owner, Saleh Saeed Abo-Ali, has been in front of a judge on murder charges in the past. Just six weeks ago, a jury acquitted Keon Anderson, 19, of the crime.

District attorney Mike Green says the prosecution did everything it could to convict Anderson, but that was not enough.

“The bottom line is that if the community is not behind us, if the people won't come forward and testify, cases can't be won,” he said.

Green says key witnesses were intimidated before taking the stand.

“At least one of them got on the stand in that case and indicated that he had a fat lip and bump on his head at the time of his testimony, and that he had been beat up and told not to testify,” Green said.

Green could not say whether the testimony of witnesses will play a significant role in Abo-Ali’s murder case, but he says in all cases witnesses need to come forward sooner.

“If the first time we learn about it is when they're on the stand refusing to testify, it's very difficult for us to help them,” he said.

Moye’s mother, Theresa McAbrew, sat in on Anderson’s arraignment this morning. She says she hopes witnesses are more forthcoming this time around, so Anerson stays in jail for good.

“This code of honor they have of snitching - it's not snitching,” she said. “It's telling the truth. Come forward so it don't happen to nobody in your family.”

Green says if people come forward for Abo-Ali’s case, they will be protected, and they could help remove alleged murderers of city streets.

“If people come forward and tell us why they're afraid, we will work with them and we will offer them every type of protection we can.”