MIAMI – Orlando Mesa's cousin took the stand Thursday in the murder trial of Janepsy Carballo, saying her cousin's wife had it out for her husband's business partner, Ilam Nissim.
Dellaney Mesa testified for prosecutors who believe Nissim's murder was about revenge after Caballo's husband was shot and killed in front of his North Miami home in 2008 while he was holding his 1-year-old son.
The cousin pointed out a conversation she had with Carballo after Mesa's funeral and said the family received condolence cards from Nissim after Mesa's death.
"She went ballistic," said Dellaney Mesa. "I asked her what we should do, and she goes, 'Don't even call him, don't talk to anybody. I hope you know that's the person of interest in the case of Orly.' Of course, this had not been said to me, specifically by her to me, before. This was the first time."
Carballo's son was grazed by a bullet the night her husband was killed and survived his injuries.
Shortly after his death, Carballo gave a public tearful plea, claiming she had nothing to do with that crime. Carballo admits that about a month later, she shot and killed Nissim inside her family home, but claims she did so in self defense.
Follow Terrell Forney on Twitter @TVTerrell
Follow Local 10 News on Twitter @WPLGLocal10