Cuffed in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Suspect in Toronto Triple Murders Arrested


By Heather Norman
of the Halifax Sunday Daily News

"A man suspected of killing three prostitutes in downtown Toronto was arrested at a waterfront hotel in Halifax last night. Marcello Palma, 30, of North York, was arrested at the Sheraton just before 7 p.m., said Acting Insp. Mike Sale of Toronto police.

A Canada-wide warrant issued Wednesday by Toronto police named Palma on three counts of first-degree murder. Desk clerks said 30-year-old Marcello Palma checked into the Sheraton around lunch time yesterday, using his own name and an American Express card to book the room. By 3 p.m., Halifax police were evacuating all the hotel's third-floor rooms,telling confused guests only that there was an emergency.

But when officers moved in, they found the room empty. Police hid inside,clercks said, and Palma, an air-conditioning and furnace-repair worker was arrested at the waterfront when he returned to the Hotel at around 7 p.m. "He was alone and co-operated at the time of his arrest,"said Sale.

Toronto detectives fingered the 30-year-old father as the prime suspect in the murders of: Shawn "Junior" Keegan,19, of Belleville; Deanna Wilkinson, 31, of Brampton; and Brenda Ludgate,25, of Etobicoke. All three were shot in the head with the same gun between 10 p.m.May 20 and 1 a.m. May 21. Halifax police released no information about the arrest, but several hotel workers were witness to the commotion.

"I was terrified, I wanted to go home", one clerck said. The hotel room was still sealed late yesterday as police looked for evidence. Two Toronto police detectives will arrive in Halifax today, Sale said. Palma, who Toronto police say is white, 5-foot-9 to 5-foot-10, 200 to 220 pounds, and clean-cut with dark brown balding hair parted at the side, was last spotted in Montreal.

"He had been suspected of heading east", said Sale. Det.Sgt. James McDermott told the "Toronto Sun" that tips about a narrow body van-type vehicle with square headlights and a pink-looking light on the roof helped identify the suspect. Palma was not previously known to police. Palma lived with his young wife, Rose or Rosie, and an infant daughter, "the Sun" reports.

Neighbours said he looked like a "hard working man" and were shocked to learn he was wanted for three murders. Toronto Const. Devin Kealey said Palma will appear in a Halifax court tomorrow morning and could be on his way back to Toronto by the end of the day. A justice of the peace will confirm the warrant during a visit to the police station today. The Halifax police major crime unit will debrief the Toronto detectives on the arrest, said Sgt. Mike Spicer.


Back to Transgender Forum's home page