Deadly intentions

Keith Morrison Correspondent • Profile

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia: A cloudy August afternoon, 2005.

A white stretch limousine snakes its way through rush hour traffic.

Behind it, moving up stealthily, is an undercover task force.

In the limo is a wanted man.

The charge - solicitation to commit murder. The evidence - this remarkable video tape.

“Normally I was gonna do it, my mother f---ing self. And I have the means too. But I said "No, I’m gonna get somebody to do this.”

That somebody -- a remarkable and unlikely undercover agent.

Linda McNeil: And no just hurt, no breakin up, you want her out right?  

[Manny (Joseph) nods]

Linda McNeil: Ok, well there ya go.

Bob Kerwin: And I told her that we won't be able to stop him from shooting you. We're not going to be that close."

Suddenly, disaster. As the task force closes in, the limo picks up speed. Dodges through traffic. It's gone.

Somewhere in Philadelphia an unstable, possibly armed man with murder on his mind is on the loose.

The race to save a woman's life is on.

A car chase, an undercover videotape, explicit talk of murder - and a law-abiding citizen suddenly pegged as a professional assassin. A case, a crime thriller, so bizarre, it could only be... absolutely real.

And it's also the tale of two women who share what just might be one of the world's most uncommon friendships. And this is where our story has its prologue...many years ago.

This is Cheneta Yates. She grew up in Harlem. At first, life was good.  She loved her three younger sisters. Her parents taught her the value of education and hard work. And then, when Cheneta was 12, disaster. Her parents divorced. Her mother sought solace from her pain in drugs and alcohol.

Cheneta Yates: Growing up with my mom, we were-- we were very close at one time. We-- we always-- we were like best friends. Up until, you know, she changed-- with the drugs and alcohol. And then she became very distant, kinda withdrawn. I watched her go from this vibrant, energetic, positive person, to someone else totally different. Someone I never-- I didn't even know.

It was a horror watching, helpless, while someone she needed - and loved went down. The worst moment, the one gouged into Cheneta's memory, occurred on the morning after her mom's 34th birthday.

Cheneta Yates: My sisters came in the room and it was like, "Mommy's not moving, Mommy's not moving." I didn't believe-- I didn't believe she was gone. But when I actually was able to confirm and there was no heartbeat, there was no movement. I was in shock. Hurt, angry – scared. Still today, it's still a little hard to deal with just thinking about it. Just why? I probably will never know the reason why?

It's remarkable to see what can happen to people after life's traumas beat them up. Cheneta's life could have collapsed after her mother's drug induced death. It did not. She kept on. Got her Master’s degree, became a teacher. Had a baby. In the spring of 1999, now 29 years old, Cheneta's pain still lingered, but it was well hidden, overshadowed by a life full of sense and purpose.

This, now, is North Philadelphia. Rough neighborhood, gangs and trouble. You're going to meet another woman here. Her battle was different but no less difficult.

The woman here is poor, medical problems. Her house has no running water. Not exactly the American dream.

But Linda McNeil - she lives right in there - makes do… She's an accomplished musician. And if gigs are few, she takes whatever odd jobs will get her from one month to the next.

She believes in God, and music, and her Ibanez bass guitar.

Linda McNeil: As a child I always felt-- always felt different. I kind of-- had my own inner feelings of, you know, what should be done and how it should be done. Just by myself with my own thoughts and ways. That's still pretty much till this day. It all adds up to-- no trouble for me. So (laugh) I-- it's all right.

Oh, one more thing about Linda. She's an athlete and she's tough.  Maybe you have to be here. Knowing martial arts, as she does, is a good thing in North Philly.

Linda McNeil: I've been attacked several times, and and I handled the situation without hurting anyone too bad. 

Linda McNeil: There was one instance where I was riding my bike. And I saw this gentleman step down off the step He had a board in his hand.  And-- as I passed him, he hit me across the back. Knocked me off the bike. And-- luckily, I had my nunshakus around my neck, but they didn't fly off. I got up and-- you know, click-clack for a few minutes. And I got my bike. I had to carry it home because I bent the tire, so I had to carry it home. But he was... still alive, you know. He was pretty sore, I guess.

Linda McNeil: It was always self-defense though. I never really wanted to hurt anyone. And it was always-- it always became easier once they tried to hurt me. Then it was easier to-- to kind of retaliate, defend myself. So... I did what I had to do.

So these are the women: Cheneta and Linda.

They are very different. They live 200 miles apart.

They know nothing whatsoever of each other.

And yet they are about to interact in an inconceivable way. All because of a man: a charismatic musician. A charmer. With evil on his mind. 

MORE FROM MURDER FOR HIRE

Murder for hire Section Front

Deadly intentions   Not your usual hitman Wife faked murder to help save her own life   Former Marine willing to kill for custody   Four family members on man’s hit list   Payback for infidelity? Contract killing Murder for hire Section Front   Add Murder for hire headlines to your news reader: