Published: November 07, 2005 11:34 pm      

Inmate tried to arrange killing, authorities say

SOMERSET — A Philadelphia man in state prison for theft now faces a much more serious charge: Attempting to arrange a murder.

Anthony M. Day, due to be released in a little more than two weeks from State Correctional Institution-Somerset, is accused of trying to plan for the killing of a witness in an upcoming rape case against him.

State police on Monday obtained a warrant for Day after using a body wire to intercept a conversation between him and another prisoner.

Authorities said Day, 24, was recorded telling the other inmate ways to kill the female witness.

Though Day will reach his maximum sentence Nov. 23 on unrelated theft charges, he is wanted by Philadelphia police for felony rape, Somerset County Assistant District Attorney Greg Geary said.

Day has been in state prison since Jan. 27, 2004, prison spokeswoman Heidi Sroka said.

Authorities said the probe was based on an internal investigation at the prison.

The other inmate told police Day had approached him several times about killing the woman and disposing of her body.

While wearing a body wire, the other inmate met Day outside the prison chapel on Sunday morning, then walked into the sanctuary as state police and guards monitored and videotaped the conversation.

The informant became concerned and left the chapel when another inmate began questioning the conversation, state Trooper Terry Wilson said in a court document.

But police said there was enough evidence on tape to charge Day with solicitation to commit homicide and solicitation to retaliate against a witness.

Charges were filed before District Judge Art Cook of Somerset.



Kirk Swauger can be reached at 445-5103 or kswauger@tribdem.com.