All articles tagged with #murder for hire
A Chicago jury found Juan Espinoza Martinez not guilty of a murder-for-hire charge after prosecutors alleged he posted a $10,000 bounty to kill border patrol official Gregory Bovino on Snapchat; defense argued the messages were gossip with no intent to act. The acquittal, amid a broader wave of failed immigration-enforcement prosecutions, highlighted questions about the government’s case and the crackdown.
A federal jury acquitted Chicago resident Juan Espinoza Martinez of a murder-for-hire charge linked to a plot against Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino, saying prosecutors failed to prove intent. The case, part of the Trump-era Operation Midway Blitz, featured four witnesses and a brief three-hour deliberation after opening statements, with Bovino absent from court. Prosecution had alleged a $10,000 bounty, but the defense argued the messages amounted to gossip, not a crime.
Prosecutors say Brendan Banfield, a Virginia husband having an affair with his Brazilian au pair, hatched an elaborate murder-for-hire plot to kill his wife Christine Banfield and a man named Joseph Ryan to remove Christine and gain custody and money. He allegedly used a fake Christine profile, arranged alibis, and orchestrated Ryan’s arrival and assault; Christine died during the killings, and Magalhães assisted and later fired a gun Ryan had. Magalhães pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2024 and will be sentenced after Banfield’s trial, which could carry life in prison if he is convicted.
A Virginia man, Brendan Banfield, is headed to trial after allegedly conspiring with his Brazilian au pair to murder his wife and frame another man; the au pair has agreed to cooperate with investigators as Banfield maintains his innocence.
A South Florida law professor, Dan Markel, was murdered in 2014 in a case involving a complex murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by his ex-wife's family, leading to multiple convictions and a 11-year legal saga.
Donna Adelson was convicted of first-degree murder for orchestrating a plot to kill her former son-in-law, Dan Markel, after she chose not to testify in her defense during her trial. The jury took about three hours to find her guilty, and she now faces up to life in prison.
Donna Adelson, a wealthy Florida matriarch, was convicted of first-degree murder for orchestrating the 2014 killing of law professor Daniel Markel, amid a complex custody dispute and family tensions, with her son and others already serving life sentences related to the case.
Donna Adelson was convicted of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation of murder in the 2014 killing of Florida law professor Dan Markel, after a lengthy trial revealing her involvement in a murder-for-hire plot orchestrated to influence her daughter's custody dispute. She faces a likely life sentence.
Donna Adelson, a wealthy Florida matriarch, was convicted of orchestrating the 2014 murder of law professor Daniel Markel, amid a custody dispute and family tensions, with her son and others already serving life sentences for the crime.
Donna Adelson, a Florida grandmother, was convicted of masterminding the 2014 murder of law professor Dan Markel in a family murder-for-hire plot linked to a custody battle, after a trial that revealed extensive evidence including FBI sting operations and wiretapped calls.
Chicago rapper Lil Durk has been linked by federal prosecutors to the 2022 murder of Stephon Mack in Roseland, Chicago. This connection emerged from unsealed documents related to a murder-for-hire conspiracy, for which Lil Durk pleaded not guilty last month. The charges also involve a plot against rapper Quando Rondo, following the killing of King Von. Lil Durk faces additional conspiracy and gun charges, with potential life imprisonment. Two others, Anthony Montgomery-Wilson and Preston Powell, are accused of conspiring to kill Mack for money.
The U.S. Justice Department has charged an Iranian man, Farhad Shakeri, in a murder-for-hire plot to assassinate former President Donald Trump, allegedly orchestrated by Iran's Revolutionary Guard. Shakeri, who remains in Iran, reportedly planned the assassination before the recent election, believing it would be easier if Trump lost. The plot is part of broader Iranian efforts to target U.S. officials, including Trump, on American soil. Two other men were arrested for related plots against Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad. The case highlights ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
The U.S. Justice Department has charged Farhad Shakeri, an Iranian national, and two New York residents, Carlisle Rivera and Jonathon Loadholt, in a murder-for-hire plot targeting a U.S. citizen of Iranian origin. Shakeri, an asset of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), allegedly directed the plot from Iran, while Rivera and Loadholt conducted surveillance in the U.S. The charges highlight Iran's ongoing attempts to target U.S. citizens, including President-elect Donald Trump, as part of broader assassination plots. Shakeri remains at large, while Rivera and Loadholt are detained.
Timothy Hoffman, father of Cynthia Hoffman who was murdered in a 2019 murder-for-hire scheme, died in a motorcycle accident during a memorial ride commemorating his daughter's death. His wife, Barbara "Jeanie" Hoffman, was seriously injured. Cynthia was killed by her best friend Denali Brehmer, who was manipulated by Darin Schilmiller into committing the crime. Both Brehmer and Schilmiller received 99-year prison sentences.
Timothy Hoffman, father of Cynthia Hoffman who was killed in a 2019 murder-for-hire scheme, died in a motorcycle accident during a memorial ride for his daughter. His wife, Barbara, was seriously injured. Cynthia was murdered by her best friend Denali Brehmer, who was manipulated by an online acquaintance, Darin Schilmiller, promising $9 million for the crime. Both Brehmer and Schilmiller received 99-year prison sentences. Timothy was a dedicated advocate for his daughter and often attended court hearings related to her case.