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Ray Allen knew about alleged murder plot
(AP)
Updated: 2005-10-08 08:52
SEATTLE - Seattle SuperSonics guard Ray Allen spoke for the first time Friday
about an alleged plot to kill his stepfather, saying his family had been aware
of the situation for more than a year.
Ernest C. Garlington, 37, of
Southington, Conn., is being held on a $1.7 million bond on charges he conspired
to murder Derek Hopson, Allen's stepfather. Garlington and Terrence Battle, 31,
of Waterbury, Conn., were charged Wednesday in a murder-for-hire plot against
Hopson, a psychologist.
"It's something we have known that has been going on," Allen said after
Seattle's practice. "It's unfortunate, because every story written has my name
tied to it. And he feels bad about it as much as my mom does, and she doesn't
want me to be tied into it. But I am connected to it."
Hopson was once married to Garlington's wife. He's now married to Flora
Allen-Hopson, Allen's mother. Allen said they have been married for just under
three years.
"I just want to make sure my mom is safe," Allen said. "I spoke to her
yesterday. She seems fine, she's happy where she is. But we know in the future
we could have to take precautionary measures just to keep my mom safe, because
that's priority number one."
Garlington and Battle are accused of conspiring with a third man, 34-year-old
Robbie Santos of Waterbury, to shoot Hopson in 2003.
Santos is serving an 18-year prison term for firing a shot from a .25-caliber
pistol at Hopson on May 21, 2003, outside a mental health clinic in Middletown
where Hopson worked. Hopson was not injured and Santos ran off when his gun
jammed, according to testimony at his trial. Allen said Hopson was driving a car
he purchased for his mother at the time of the shooting.
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