This article is from page 17 of the 2008-06-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 17 JPG
TERESA Engle participated in an alleged plot to kill three Ennis busi- nessmen because she was controlled by her partner Essam Eid, she told the trial last Thursday.
She made the claim during cross- examination by Mr Eid’s barrister David Sutton, who put it to her that she was a “criminal and a fraudster. Do you agree with me?” She said, “No, I do not.”
“You scammed your way out of it by either telling lies or saying noth- ing and you successfully got off scot- free. .. Star witness for the prosecu- tion,’ said Mr Sutton.
‘“That’s not true. I gave my state- ment and agreed to testify here with- out immunity and against the advice
of my attorney who told me not to speak here,’ said Ms Engle.
Mr Sutton asked her did she have access to the ‘hitmanforhire’ website and she said she did.
“Only a fool of the highest order would think it was a serious website,” said Mr Sutton, to which she replied, ‘“That’s why I was so amazed when she sent the money.”
“You had a mug. You had someone who was stupid enough to log onto the website and someone who was stupid enough to send on the money,” said Mr Sutton.
She replied, “I couldn’t believe it.”
Mr Sutton said, “This piece of non- sense was a plot to kill?” she replied, ‘“That’s what it was.”
‘The reason you are saying that is because you are trying to do your-
self a favour in America, where you have pleaded guilty through another shakedown. You are dressing this up as a plot to kill for your own conven- ience and your own advantage,’ said Mr Sutton.
“No, that was what it was,’ replied WeCom Ua LB OTE
“You never intended to do any of this. There was no plan. Ms Engle, you are an incompetent criminal, yes or no?” said Mr Sutton.
“I was merely participating to the extent that I was controlled by Es- sam,’ said Ms Engle.
“Mr Eid was not involved in the plot to kill,” said Mr Sutton.
Ms Engle replied, “That’s ridicu- etna
“Ridiculous is the word because everything you have said to the jury
and the trial is ridiculous,” concluded Mr Sutton.
Os iYeCSmea Keer cc eebbit-lelOsMOnO seme) erste ron Collins barrister Paul O’ Higgins SC, Ms Engel said she was “under Essam’s direction”.
“IT agreed to give evidence here without the immunity and against the advice of my own attorney,’ she renee
Mr O’Higgins asked her why her sentencing hearing for extortion in the US had been adjourned. She said she had sought this, in order to spend DDONCoM UALR MOC MB E-TOONE AYA
“Can I suggest to you it was ad- journed because you hadn’t given evidence in this case?” he asked. She denied this.
“Aren’t you at the mercy of the US authorities as to what evidence you
give here?” asked Mr O’Higgins, but she also denied this.
“What else have you agreed to do? Have you agreed, for example, to act in an undercover capacity for the US attorney’s office and to tap phones and that kind of thing, if required to do so?” asked the barrister.
She replied, “Yes I did that.”
“You have referred repeatedly to Sharon as though you somehow knew Sharon Collins, the defendant in this case. Have you ever met Sharon Col- lins at all?” asked Mr O’ Higgins.
She replied, “No, I have not, at all.”
“All you are doing, far from telling the truth, 1s seeking to advance your position in the proceedings in the US,” said Mr O’Higgins, to which she replied, “That’s absolutely not true.”