-- From Times staff reporter Bob Young:

So much for the no-snitch code that's hindered Seattle police investigations of gang shootings.

Mark Anderson took the stand Monday and today in the murder trial of Omar Norman and testified -- at some risk to his safety -- that Norman admitted he shot Terrell Milam in the head. Norman is on trial for the Oct. 17, 2005, slaying of Milam.

Two earlier witnesses in the trial had recanted what they allegedly told police about Norman's role in the killing.

A member of Seattle's Deuce Eight street gang, Anderson, 23, told the jury that he and a friend sat in Norman's Lexus shortly after Milam was killed. He testified that Norman said he put Milam in a headlock and "topped him off," shooting Milam in the head. "There was no confusion about what he meant," he testified.

Anderson said Norman appeared to be bragging because "Milam was a big name on the streets, an original Deuce Eight (member)" and killing Milam "would boost Omar Norman's stature."

Anderson admitted he consumed liquor, pot and Ecstasy the night of the conversation in Norman's car. But he said his recollection was clear.

Shortly after that, Anderson said he told one of Milam's friends what Norman had said. That transgression apparently got back to Norman. Anderson testfied that he was walking in the Central District in March 2006 when Norman jumped out of bushes along Jefferson Street, cursed Anderson, and fired a shotgun at him. Anderson said he was hit in both legs but managed to escape.

Anderson told police he didn't know who shot him because he wanted to kill Norman, he testified, and he couldn't do that if Norman was in jail.

He changed his mind after he was arrested last year for possessing a gun and cocaine. He made a deal with prosecutors, he said, agreeing to testify if the drug charge was dropped and the weapons charge was reduced to 23 months in prison. He also hopes to be relocated to another state while serving the rest of his time behind bars.

Anderson said he understood the consequences of testifying in open court. "I can never go back to my neighborhood. I can never again live in Seattle."

But Anderson said he didn't care because former friends and gang associates weren't going to be there for him when he needed help. "They ain't going to take care of my kids when I go to penitentiary," Anderson testified.