Update, 12:13 p.m.: Mario Anderson and Kataina "Markie" Jackson-Keeling, who didn't show up on time for a sentencing hearing yesterday, are in custody. They're now slated to be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. this afternoon. For background, look below at our original item, published at 8:45 a.m.
Prosecutors in the Darrent Williams murder trial believe that Mario Anderson and Kataina "Markie" Jackson-Keeling were in a white Tahoe with Willie Clark when Clark fired the shots that killed the Broncos cornerback early on New Years Day 2007.
The pair weren't charged with complicity in the slaying. But now, warrants have been issued in their names for the crimes for which they were convicted in the case.
As reported by Melanie Asmar, who covered the Williams trial for Westword, Jackson-Keeling and Anderson both claimed that they knew nothing about the shooting, for which Clark was convicted and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.
They were called as witnesses at Clark's trial but refused to testify -- a decision that resulted in jail stints. But on May 18, they admitted in court to having been in contempt for this decision. In addition, they pleaded guilty to an accessory to perjury charge related to statements made before the grand jury that handed down Clark's indictment.
Afterward, Jackson-Keeling and Anderson bonded out, but they were supposed to return to court for sentencing yesterday -- except they didn't. As a result, the Denver District Attorney's Office promptly issued warrants for their arrest.
Look below to see a photo of Anderson, and a larger version of Jackson-Keeling's mug shot, as well as a Denver DA's Office release:
TWO MEN WANTED IN PERJURY AND CONTEMPT CASETwo men who pleaded guilty last month in connection with perjury and contempt of court cases have failed to appear for sentencing today and warrants have been issued for their arrest.
Kataina "Markie" Jackson-Keeling (dob: 07-01-88) and Mario Anderson (dob: 06-02-87) pleaded guilty in May to accessory to perjury (F5) and admitted that they were also in direct contempt of the Court for refusing to testify in the March 2010 Clark trial.
Both were charged in 2009 with perjury (F4) and attempt to influence a public servant (F4) because they lied to Denver police and a Denver Grand Jury that was looking into the murder of Denver Broncos player Darrent Williams.
Both defendants were scheduled to be sentenced this afternoon, but arrest warrants were issued when they failed to appear in Court.
Failing to appear for sentencing may constitute a new felony offense, violating bail bond conditions, a class 6 felony
If you have any information regarding the location of either of these, suspects, please contact The Denver Police Department at 720-913-2000 or call Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867). You can text to: CRIMES (274637) then title DMCS and enter your message or send an e-mail to metro-denvercrimestoppers.com. If the information you provide leads to the arrest and charging of a wanted individual, you can receive a cash award up to $2,000.
