CT Man Accused Of Attempting To Hire Hitman To Kill Witness: Police

PUTNAM, CT — A Putnam man is facing charges that he attempted to hire a hitman to kill a witness planning to testify against him in court, according to state police.

Leonard Thuo Mwithiga, 52, was charged with criminal attempt at murder with special circumstances, conspiracy to commit murder, and criminal attempt at intimidation of a witness.

State police learned of the murder-for-hire scheme after a confidential informant told them that his employer had asked for help finding a hitman.

"It was determined that there is a criminal court proceeding involving the accused and the victim in which the execution of this Murder for Hire plot would render the victim unable to testify in such proceeding," police said.

State police then had an undercover trooper pose as a hitman.

Following the investigation, Mwithiga was taken into custody without incident Monday.

He was held on $5 million bond and is scheduled to appear in Danielson Superior Court on Tuesday.