Watch CBS News

Philadelphia Hitman Testifies Against Former Crime Colleague

By Tony Hanson

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- An admitted drug gang hitman, who has pleaded guilty to 11 murders (see previous story)-- including a 2004 arson attack that killed six members of a cooperating witness's family -- has now testified that he was following orders from convicted drug boss Kaboni Savage and his sister.

The defense is now cross-examining the prosecution's star witness.

The defense, which contends admitted killer and cooperating witness Lamont Lewis is lying to save his own life by avoiding the death penalty, has focused on the evil Lewis committed -- firing up the steps to keep victims upstairs until the fire was set.

The defense has also shown pictures of the six victims, including the four children.

During questioning by defense attorney William Purpura, Lewis has conceded that after the firebombing and after he had killed children and was supposedly upset they were victims, he continued to sell drugs, continued to carry a gun and continued to shoot at people to kill.

Kaboni Savage and the other defendants in this case have pleaded not guilty.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.