Manchester Businessman Convicted in Murder-for-Hire Plot

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Marvin Morris, a prominent businessman in Manchester, has been convicted of solicitation to murder after offering $60,000 to have Glenroy Griffiths, chairman of the People’s Cooperative Bank (PCB), killed. Morris’s alleged motivation was to gain easier access to loans from the bank.

The plot came to light during a four-week trial in the Manchester Circuit Court. Key testimony came from Gemral Anderson, the man Morris had allegedly contracted to carry out the murder. Anderson, initially detained in connection with the plot, chose to cooperate with prosecutors and provided testimony that revealed chilling details of Morris’s plan. He testified that Morris gave him a $10,000 advance and a screwdriver to use in the attack, as well as detailed instructions on how to carry out the ambush.

Anderson, however, hesitated when confronted with Griffiths, who he said had “two angels” with him, preventing him from going through with the act. He later disclosed the plot to Griffiths, who helped him contact police. While in custody, Anderson received multiple phone calls from Morris, checking on the status of the “job.” The calls provided crucial evidence, as police instructed Anderson to place the calls on speaker, allowing officers to overhear.

Anderson’s testimony differed from his original statements during a preliminary hearing over ten years ago, where he claimed the intent was not to harm Griffiths but to deceive the contract holder for money. His explanation during the recent trial was that he had attempted to shield Morris due to their longstanding friendship.

Morris’s sentencing is set for February 7, 2025.