A federal judge has ruled on key evidence connected to a staged wrecks and murder-for-hire scheme ahead of trial next month.
Judge Wendy Vitter ruled that evidence from previous cases and convictions for disbarred attorney Sean Alfortish and accused hitman Leon Parker cannot be introduced during the Aug. 10 trial.
Vitter ruled that Parker’s 2010 arrest for a 2005 murder could not be introduced during trial. However, she ruled that evidence linking him to physical abuse of the mother of one of his co-conspirators, Ryan Harris, was admissible.
Vitter also ruled that Alfortish’s 2011 conviction in connection with a rigged election with the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association in an effort to remain on the board cannot be brought up during the trial.
Alfortish was disbarred after that conviction. Vitter ruled that evidence regarding his disbarment could, however, be introduced during trial.
After serving his jail sentence, Alfortish allegedly became part of the staged wrecks scheme around 2017 after he was introduced to the man he’s accused of conspiring to kill, Cornelius Garrison.
Parker is accused of working with three prominent attorneys to stage wrecks and then allegedly filing fraudulent insurance claims in connection with those crashes.
Two of those attorneys, Vanessa Motta and Jason Giles, have been convicted in the scheme and are awaiting sentencing.
About Parker:
Parker has been accused of being involved in the scheme to kill Cornelius Garrison, a witness who was cooperating with the federal government in the investigation.
Parker was involved in three suspected staged wrecks and was arrested in November 2024.
An FBI agent testified that Parker played a part in the killing of Garrison after Alfortish, a disbarred attorney and New Orleans businessman, tried to pay Garrison to go to the Bahamas instead of cooperating with the investigation.
Alfortish is engaged to Motta, who is also indicted in the scheme along with her law firm.
The FBI agent testified that Motta and Alfortish offered Garrison money to leave and also arranged for him to get an attorney.
The agent said a burner phone was used in the killing of Garrison and was bought by Harris, Parker’s stepson.
A second burner phone was also used during the crime, and whoever had both was connected to the location where the killing happened, according to the FBI agent.
Parker, the alleged shooter in Garrison’s death, referred to himself as Harris’ stepdad and reportedly searched “Cornelius Garrett” on Google days before the killing.
The FBI agent testified that they believed Parker was searching for details on Garrison.
Less than a week before the homicide, the FBI agent said Parker and Harris sent photos of a 9 mm gun to each other. The same type of gun was used in the killing of Garrison, according to the FBI agent.
One day before the killing, the agent said Parker withdrew more than $47,000 from his bank account and met with Harris.
The agent said the first burner phone was purchased in New Orleans East shortly after, and Harris’ then-girlfriend, Jovanna Gardner, got the other burner phone from Harris.
Gardner used the burner phone to contact Garrison. The agent said whoever had the second burner phone was “running the show” and contacting Gardner.
The agent said Harris and Parker met the day of the homicide and had a 71-minute call at 7:55 p.m. Garrison was killed at 8:30 p.m., according to the FBI.
The agent testified that investigators believe the call was meant to be “an alibi call.”
After the killing, Parker is accused of going to Kenner after the homicide happened. The FBI agent testified that Alfortish lived in Kenner at the time, and Parker even searched Alfortish on Google days after the homicide.
Federal Judge Wendy Vitter has separated Alfortish and Parker’s trial, and Garrison’s murder is not expected to be mentioned in Motta and Giles’ trial starting next week.
Parker is being represented by Stephen Haedicke, who was assigned through the federal public defender’s office.
About Alfortish:
Sean Alfortish is facing one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, three counts of obstruction of justice, and four counts of witness tampering.
He was also indicted on conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the scheme.
Alfortish is the fiancé of Vanessa Motta, who is a co-defendant in the scheme.
This is not Alfortish’s first time facing criminal charges.
In 2011, he was disbarred and served prison time in connection with a rigged election with the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association in an effort to remain on the board.
After serving his jail sentence, he allegedly became part of the staged wrecks scheme around 2017 after he was introduced to the man he’s accused of conspiring to kill, Cornelius Garrison.
Alfortish is accused of using Motta’s firm to stage wrecks and file fraudulent insurance claims.
When Alfortish and Motta found out Garrison was cooperating in a federal investigation in 2019, they were accused of offering to move him out of the country in an effort to stop his cooperation.
An FBI agent testified in court that a burner phone was used in the killing of Garrison and was bought by Ryan J. Harris, who pleaded guilty in connection with the scheme.
A second burner phone was also used during the crime, and whoever had both was connected to the location where the killing happened, according to the FBI agent.
Leon Parker, the alleged shooter in Garrison’s death, referred to himself as Harris’ stepdad, and reportedly searched “Cornelius Garrett” on Google days before the killing.
After the killing, Parker is accused of going to Kenner after the homicide happened. The FBI agent testified that Alfortish lived in Kenner at the time, and Parker even searched Alfortish on Google days after the homicide.
Federal Judge Wendy Vitter has separated Alfortish and Parker’s trials, and Garrison’s murder is not expected to be mentioned in Motta’s trial, starting next week.
Alfortish has pleaded not guilty and has been held without bond since his arrest.
READ MORE:Federal judge rules on key evidence in staged wrecks probe ahead of trial next month
