HAUPPAUGE - Opening statements are scheduled for today in the murder trial of Ronald Thornton of Nesconset charged with first degree murder and conspiracy charges for hiring three Queens residents to kill his business partner. 

The victim, attorney Thomas DiMartino, 44, of Nesconset, was shot to death in a Commack restaurant parking lot on October 20, 2008.   

Thornton’s codefendants Donovan Raysor, 21, and Darnell Festus, 24, await trial on murder and conspiracy charges.  Monique Randall, 20, pleaded guilty to second degree murder and is expected to testify for the prosecution. During her guilty plea in November of 2008, Ms. Randall said Thornton directed her to recruit DiMartino’s killers.

Thornton, 38, is also on trial for second degree conspiracy for a scheme he concocted while behind bars in the county jail to kidnap Ms. Randall’s daughter to force her to recant her admission and stop her cooperation with law enforcement.