He is already wanted for questioning in connection with a murder, and tonight 7NEWS has confirmed that police are now looking for Clay Monsanto to question him about the attempted murder and attempted robbery of businessman Phillip Gallaty back in April. And while they hunt for Monsanto, police today rounded up one more suspect for the crime. 18 year old Francis Petillo was today arraigned in Magistrate's Court for attempted murder, robbery, grievous harm, use of deadly means of harm, conspiracy to commit murder, and conspiracy to commit robbery. He was denied bail until his next court appearance on August 12th.
As we first reported last week (see Police make arrests for Phillip Gallaty Attempted Murder/Robbery), Frank Eligio and Kenrick Reneau were charged on Thursday for the same crime. On April 27th Phillip Galatty and his assistant were ambushed by armed gunmen outfitted with ski masks at a speed bump just outside Ladyville on the Northern Highway.
And if the name Frank Petillo sounds familiar it is because in May the 18 year old was charged (See Two charged for Hilberto Aragon’s Murder) for the high noon murder of wholesaler Hilberto Aragon as he delivered rice in the Lake I area in May. He is still awaiting trial on that charge.
As for Monsanto, as we also first reported he is being sought for questioning in connection with the March murder of William Staine.