POLICE ARREST 3 IN ALLEGED TEXAS MURDER-FOR-HIRE

Law enforcement authorities have reportedly charged three people with capital murder in an alleged murder-for-hire case in which a McKinney man was killed. Those who have been charged include the victim’s wife, her friend and the alleged shooter.

The man died from multiple gunshot wounds. Officers had previously responded to the home on multiple occasions for marital disputes between the man and his wife. Police allege that the woman conspired with her male friend to kill her husband. They allege the pair hired the third man to commit the murder and that their motive for doing so was for financial gain.

Police indicated they are still trying to determine if the woman and her male friend were involved in a romantic relationship. The woman had reported finding her husband dead with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers with the Texas Rangers and the McKinney Police Department took all three into custody on March 10. The three were held in the Custer County Jail on $1 million bonds. The alleged shooter is separately also being held on federal firearms charges. It is unclear what evidence led police to believe the three were engaged in a murder-for-hire plot.

Capital murder charges are especially serious, as they expose those charged with the potential for a death sentence. When a person is charged with capital murder, it is often highly important that they obtain the services of a criminal defense attorney who has experience in defending people in death penalty cases. An attorney can attempt to identify flaws in the prosecution’s case in order to mount a defensive strategy and can use the help of experts to evaluate evidence in the event the case goes to trial. The attorney may also be able to negotiate an arrangement that results in a plea of guilty to lesser charges.

Source: CBS DFW, “3 arrested for murder-for-hire hit in McKinney,” March 13, 2015.