Pastor pleads guilty in plot to kill disabled man
A 34-year-old Baltimore pastor who worked with the developmentally disabled pleaded guilty Friday to his role in a conspiracy to kill a blind man for life insurance money.
Kevin Pushia (at right) faces life in prison in the death of Lemuel Wallace, who was found in a Leakin Park bathroom shot multiple times in the head and back in February 2009. Prosecutor Robin Wherley said Pushia confessed to taking out multiple life insurance policies in Wallace’s name, then paying a hit man $50,000 to kill him.
That money had come from the treasury of a small East Baltimore church where Pushia was a pastor.
Pushia, who had worked as an operations manager for the Arc of Baltimore, confessed after police serving a search warrant found a notation in his planning calendar for Feb. 5, the day after Wallace was killed, that read, “L.W. project completed,” prosecutors said.
“Mr. Pushia made some poor decisions, and got himself in a very difficult position,” said defense attorney Russell Neverdon outside the courthouse. “His plea was an effort to purge himself, emotionally and spiritually.”
Sentencing was not disclosed at Friday’s hearing in Baltimore Circuit Court. A co-defendant, James Omar Clea, is scheduled to stand trial on Nov. 8.
Categories: Courts and the justice system, East Baltimore, West Baltimore
Comments
Only the slimiest lawyer would say, "Mr. Pushia made some poor decisions, and got himself in a very difficult position," said defense attorney Russell Neverdon outside the courthouse.
Why don't these barristers just keep their mouths shut? Do they like the sound of their voice? There is no need to comment at all. The case speaks clearly for itself.
A poor decision is buying your wife a vacuum cleaner for your anniversary. What this guy did is simply unspeakable let alone from a man of the cloth.
I understand that each accused is afforded a defense, but once the case is done, the defense lawyer should have no compunction to minimize the actions of an evil man.
I should clarify (not that it may make a difference), but he was referring to the circumstances that led up to the death when he said that. -JF
Posted by: J.W. | August 27, 2010 2:19 PM
The lawyer is just doing his job by representing his client. The article doesn't indicate if sentencing has taken place or not, or if appeals could be pending.
In criminal cases, every single criminal has an advocate - are all these lawyers inherently slimy? Are all the prosecutors inherently noble?
Posted by: Steve | August 27, 2010 3:10 PM
The pastor should suffer the same fate as the disabled man he had killed.
Posted by: DIANE | August 27, 2010 6:45 PM
As my wife said when she saw this story, Mr. Pushia has a one way ticket on the Hell Express.
Posted by: stretch | August 27, 2010 9:11 PM
Well, at least the "man of God" confessed, which shows he is an honest man. No need to find Jesus in jail. Lol. (sarcasm)
Posted by: Abd19985639 | August 28, 2010 9:16 AM