Pubdate: Tue, 19 Jun 2007 Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB) Copyright: 2007 Winnipeg Free Press Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502 Author: Mike McIntyre WITNESS ADMITS TO WITHHOLDING KEY INFORMATION A key Crown witness in a first-degree murder trial admits he withheld pivotal information from police because he was scared of retaliation from the accused killer. "I was scared to death," said Aaron Shellrude, who was called to testify Monday against his former drug-dealing partner and roommate, Clayton Korski. Korski, 25, admitted he planned to set up the victim, Wilson Martinez, for a drug deal in the playground of a Winnipeg elementary school and then confront him at gunpoint, according to Shellrude. "He said he was gonna rob him," he said. But Shellrude, 27, claims he met Korski later that September 2004 night and learned Martinez, 20, had been shot and killed in what Korski admitted was a planned hit all along. "He said he was bleeding out of his mouth and neck on the ground," said Shellrude. Korski began his trial last week by pleading not guilty to Martinez's slaying, which occurred on the grounds of Heritage School near Ness Avenue and Sturgeon Road. Shellrude was initially arrested along with Korski but never charged. He quickly left Manitoba after his release and eventually gave police a much more detailed statement about Korski's alleged involvement. "Not until I was out of the province and my safety was guaranteed would I give the whole truth," Shellrude said Monday under intense cross-examination from defence lawyer David Guttman. Shellrude's credibility was repeatedly called into question by Guttman based on his different version of events given to police. Martinez was a local drug pusher who met with Korski during the late morning of Sept. 15, 2004, for the purpose of setting up a crack deal, jurors heard last week. The two men had previously done business and agreed to get together later that night once Martinez had 13 ounces of cocaine and Korski had the $12,000 cash needed to buy it. Martinez arrived at the school just before 11 p.m. and brought along one of his good friends for backup, said Crown attorney Carla Dewar. The friend -- who is expected to testify -- remained in the vehicle while Martinez walked towards the play structure. The friend saw a dark, shadowy figure approach Martinez, followed almost immediately by the sounds of a loud "pop". The gunman then began charging towards the waiting vehicle, prompting the friend to speed away. He called some other associates, and they returned to the scene a short while later to check on Martinez. Martinez was rushed to hospital and pronounced dead. An autopsy revealed he suffered a single bullet wound to the head from close range. The trial continues. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek