One Man’s Jealousy

Things you might think about when you move into a new home—hiring a locksmith to re-key the locks. Things you don’t think about when you move into a new home—who lived there before you and who wants them dead.

Twelve years before this crime happened, a man sat in prison. While in prison, his wife had an affair—they later divorced. The anger about her having had an affair grew over the years. He couldn’t and wouldn’t let it go.

The ex-convict needed revenge. For months, he and an associate plotted the murder. They watched the man’s daily activities—noting what time he left for work, what days he worked, and what path he drove to work. The associate was the hitman. The ex-con paid him through his business. When the time drew near, the hitman used a 3-D printer to create his weapon and silencer.

Early on the day of the hit, as commuter traffic was building, the associate followed the man who left his home in his work vehicle and entered a four-lane highway. He then pulled alongside the vehicle and shot at the man through his passenger window, striking the driver and the vehicle’s driver’s side.

The shooter hit the victim multiple times, but the victim could still call in for emergency services. First responders arrived and ordered a life-flight to an area hospital where the victim underwent surgery and survived. His vehicle had a camera system that recorded the shooting and the call for emergency services.

Through the investigation, the authorities learned that the man with whom the ex-con’s ex-wife had had an affair twelve years prior had lived in the victim's home—but he’d since moved. The shooter shot the wrong man.

Federal agents arrested the two men who went to trial. The jury saw cell phone communications between the ex-husband and his associate about the murder-for-hire. They saw the vehicle camera footage of the shooting, and they heard the victim’s phone call for emergency services.

After eight days of evidence and two days of deliberation, a jury found both men guilty of conspiracy to commit murder. A judge sentenced both to life in federal prison.

A U.S. Attorney associated with the case said after their conviction,

“An innocent victim was ambushed by gunfire during his daily commute—all because of one man’s jealousy and faulty information.”

Source: U.S. Department of Justice

All data and information provided is for information and research purposes only and not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual. Appeals or overturned verdicts may have occurred in criminal cases since I researched them. All information is provided on an as-is basis.