Prisoner convicted of orchestrating Talbot Green murder from behind bars
A convicted murderer serving a life sentence has been found guilty of directing a fatal shooting from his cell. The victim, 29, was gunned down in Talbot Green last year. Police traced the order to the inmate using smuggled phones and coded messages.
A man already serving a life term for murder has been convicted of ordering a fatal shooting from his prison cell, a court heard today. The 42-year-old, known only as Daniel Reeves, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder after a three-week trial in Cardiff Crown Court. Prosecutors allege he directed the killing of 29-year-old Lisa Morgan, whose body was found in a lay-by off the A472 near Talbot Green on October 12, 2023.
Key Points
- ✅ Reeves serving life for unrelated murder since 2020
- ⚡ Ordered hit using smuggled phones and coded messages
- 💡 Victim’s family received threats before her death
Detectives traced the order to Reeves through a network of smuggled contraband devices, including two modified smartphones hidden in his cell. Forensic analysis showed he coordinated meetings and payments using encrypted messaging apps, with payments routed through untraceable cryptocurrency wallets. The hitman, a 34-year-old from Merthyr Tydfil, was arrested last December after a tip-off from a prison informant.
The trial revealed Reeves had been communicating with the shooter for six months before Morgan’s death. Messages recovered from the devices included coded references to “the package” and “finalising the deal,” which prosecutors argued were unambiguous instructions. The hitman, who has pleaded not guilty, claimed he acted alone but forensic linguists testified the language matched Reeves’ known patterns.
| Evidence Type | Detail | Weight in Case |
|---|---|---|
| Encrypted Messages | 6 months of correspondence | Primary evidence |
| Cryptocurrency Trail | £15,000 transferred in untraceable wallets | Financial motive |
| Prison Informant | Testified to Reeves’ admissions | Corroborating testimony |
Reeves’ defence argued the phones were planted by prison staff and the messages were fabricated. However, the jury rejected the claim after hearing testimony from a prison officer who described finding the devices during a routine cell search. The officer also confirmed the phones were not standard issue and contained modified SIM cards.
📋 By The Numbers
- £15,000 — Amount paid to the hitman via cryptocurrency
- 6 months — Duration of Reeves’ communications with the shooter
- 2 — Number of prior prison informant warnings about Reeves’ activity
The case has raised concerns about the ease with which high-risk inmates can circumvent prison security. In response, the Ministry of Justice announced an immediate review of contraband detection protocols, including the use of AI-powered scanners in Welsh prisons. A spokesperson confirmed the review will focus on intercepting smuggled technology before it enters cells.
💡 Pro Tip
Prison authorities should prioritise random, unannounced cell searches using advanced detection tools, including thermal imaging, to disrupt smuggling networks before orders are issued.
Reeves now faces an additional life sentence, to be served consecutively with his existing term. The hitman is due to stand trial next month. Morgan’s family has called for stricter oversight of prison communications, with her mother stating, “They let him run his empire from a cell. That ends today.” Prosecutors have not ruled out further charges against associates linked to the conspiracy.
- First — Police raid on Reeves’ cell uncovered smuggled phones within 48 hours of the tip-off.
- Second — Cryptocurrency transactions traced to Reeves’ known digital footprint.
- Third — Jury deliberated for 14 hours before reaching a unanimous guilty verdict.