Testimony started today in the trial of Cordaryl Silva, the 26-year-old Ansonia man accused of shooting and killing 22-year-old Javon Zimmerman in the parking lot of RJ’s Cafe, a bar on Elizabeth Street in Derby.
Two witnesses took the stand Tuesday morning, including Derby Police Police Officer John Dorosh, who was about two blocks away when the shots were fired early May 12, 2012.
Zimmerman and his family ran a fairly well-organized drug dealing operation in the lower Naugatuck Valley, according to police.
Monea Howard, a friend of Zimmerman’s, testified that Silva grew increasingly angry at the Zimmermans for not supporting Silva’s brother while he was behind bars. Silva’s brother was a member of the drug-dealing crew, the witness alleged.
The witness further testified that she was talking to Silva in RJ’s immediately before the shooting and that Silva said, “One of them (is) going to get it.”
As the trial started Tuesday, Silva told the judge he wanted to represent himself, and complained about his defense attorney.
The judge indicated it was too late for that, and that those issues should have been addressed prior to the start of the trial.
Testimony is scheduled to resume at 2 p.m.
