Prosecutor in Rap Drug Case Slain
Dec. 4 -- A federal prosecutor was found shot and stabbed to death along a Pennsylvania road today after he failed to show up in court for the drug trial of a rap artist, officials said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan P. Luna, 38, was trying the case of Baltimore-based rapper Deon Lionnel Smith, 32, and his one-time associate Walter Oriley Poindexter, 28, who were accused of heroin distribution and running a violent drug ring, in part from their Stash House Records studio. Smith's attorney said both defendants entered guilty pleas today as part of a plea bargain.
Luna body was found alongside a road in Ephrata, a town near Lancaster, Pa. Thomas DiBiagio, the U.S. attorney for Maryland, said Luna. A police report on Luna's slaying mentioned only stab wounds, but the judge who was presiding over his drug case told The Associated Press he suffered multiple stab and gunshot wounds.
He appeared to be the victim of "an execution-style" murder, other sources told ABCNEWS.
Sources said Luna returned to his home around 8 p.m. Wednesday night. Later that night, he received a phone call and left his home sometime after midnight. When he did not return, his wife reported him missing.
‘We Will Find Out Who Did This …’
At an evening news conference in Baltimore, DiBiagio vowed to bring Luna's killer or killers to justice.
"Let there be no doubt that every person in law enforcement is united," he said. "We will find out who did this. We will bring the person or persons responsible for this tragedy to justice."
Attorney General John Ashcroft sent his condolences to Luna's family and vowed a thorough investigation would be conducted.
"On behalf of the entire United States Department of Justice, I express our deepest condolences to Jonathan's family, colleagues and friends," Ashcroft said in a statement. "We share his family's grief and will provide any support and assistance to help them through this difficult time. All appropriate resources will be dedicated to investigating this matter."
