Marriott pleads guilty to attempted murder

Aaron Gregory Marriott pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted murder Tuesday just as his trial was set to begin in Nova Scotia Supreme Court.

Marriott was chargedin the shooting of Jason Hallett outside the IWK Health Centre in Halifax on Nov. 18, 2008.

Shaun Smith pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiracy to commit murder in the case. He will be sentenced on May 18.

Jeremy Alvin Leblanc and Matthew James Murphy pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

They are standing trial by judge alone.

Marriott will be sentenced on May 16.

Hallett a young manwith linksto the Melvin crime family was wounded in the wrist. The shooting marked an escalation in the drug war between the Melvin and Marriott crime families.

Jimmy Melvin Sr., 48, was injuredNov. 17, 2008,when he jumped to avoid gunfire outside Jessy's Pizza on Herring Cove Road in Spryfield.

His family, including his son Jimmy Melvin Jr., has been linked to a spate of drug-related violence, including firebombings and shootings.

Melvin Sr. was paroled two years ago after serving nearly half of a 22-year sentence for drug trafficking and assaulting a peace officer.