GUILTY TX - Police stage murders to catch couple who hired hitman - Feb 2017

:bump: for the start of trial! Unless I missed a postponement....

Friday, March 16th:
*Trial set to begin - TX - Victim not identified - Leon Phillip Jacob (39) - arrested (3/10/17) & charged with 2 counts of solicitation of capital murder (1st degree felony) and aggravated kidnapping. Pled not guilty; no bail. Trial delayed from Dec. 1, 2017 His accomplice, Dr. Valerie Busick McDaniel (48) was also arrested and freed on $50K bail, jumped to her death from a 7th story building on 3/27/17. Hitman was paid $20K & 2 Cartier watches.
 
and if it's "really" happening....

Monday, March 19th:
*Trial continues (Day 2) - TX - Victim not identified - Leon Phillip Jacob (39) - arrested (3/10/17) & charged with 2 counts of solicitation of capital murder (1st degree felony) and aggravated kidnapping. Pled not guilty; no bail. Trial delayed from Dec. 1, 2017
His accomplice, Dr. Valerie Busick McDaniel (48) was also arrested and freed on $50K bail, jumped to her death from a 7th story building on 3/27/17. Hitman was paid $20K & 2 Cartier watches.


If anyone sees any updates if this trial is actually happening - please post!

TIA!
 
Anyone following this one??
 
Okay - I did some googling - and found some articles to bring us up to date:

Leon Jacob, man accused of plotting River Oaks murder-for-hire, on trial
https://www.click2houston.com/news/trial-begins-for-man-accused-of-plotting-murder-for-hire

March 19, 2018
HOUSTON - More than a year after a Houston couple was arrested, accused of trying to hire a hit man to kill their exes, the case finally went to trial on Monday in downtown Houston.

The trial began with jury selection that is expected to last about a week.
[.....]
Before jury selection began, there was a hearing on several motions related to the case.

The prosecution expected to ask the judge if Jacob's troubled past can be used in the trial.
[.....]
After the motions hearing, jury selection will get underway. This case has garnered international attention and has been the focus of several network television programs. A larger jury pool has been requested.
[.....]
Both sides have subpoenaed a long list of people. If jury selection moves quickly, Jacob’s ex-girlfriend is expected to take the stand as early as Monday, March 26. Witnesses will be flying in from around the country. They include Jacob’s ex-wife from Illinois, his former co-worker from Ohio and that co-worker’s ex-husband.
[.....]
The group was narrowed down to 12 jurors, plus alternates.

It consists of 11 men and one woman. Testimony is to begin at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday (3/20).


more at link.

Next article:
Staged photo of ex's death shown at Leon Jacob's murder-for-hire trial
https://www.click2houston.com/news/leon-jacob-trial-testimony-expected-to-begin-tuesday

Tuesday, March 20:
HOUSTON - Testimony began Tuesday at the trial of Leon Jacob, the man accused of orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot last year.

The jury of 11 men and one woman was seated Monday, but one juror was released Tuesday because of a family obligation. An alternate was seated, and the makeup of the jury is now ten men and two women.

Opening arguments began at 9:30 a.m. The prosecution and defense each spoke for about 15 minutes before testimony started.
[.....]
The trial is expected to last at least a week.
[.....]
During their opening statements Tuesday morning, prosecutors showed a photo that was staged to make it appear as if one target of the alleged murder plot was successfully killed.

They also showed a staged image of Meghan Verikas, the ex-girlfriend of Jacob.
[.....]
But defense attorneys said Jacob did not want to hurt his ex-girlfriend. Instead, they said he wanted to spend his life with Verikas.
[.....]
"He's always been on the track of actually killing Meghan if it doesn't go his way. Yes, he did actually propose the way to kill her. Potassium chloride to the heart. It was untraceable, those were his words," Azzeh said. (hitman)



Leon Jacob's ex-girlfriend testifies at his murder-for-hire trial
https://www.click2houston.com/news/...obs-ex-girlfriend-expected-on-stand-wednesday

March 21
HOUSTON - The ex-girlfriend of a man accused of orchestrating a plan to have her killed testified Wednesday at his trial.
[.....]
Verikas said Jacob continued to attempt to contact her even after the court said to stay away.

"'Did you seriously get a protective order against me?'" one email from Jacob to Verikas read.

Prosecutor Samantha Knecht flipped through a series of email communications from Jacob to Verikas that she said followed the protective order.
[.....]
She testified investigators asked her to stage photos to make it appear as though she had been kidnapped.
[.....]
The other target of the alleged plot, Mack McDaniel, took the stand after Verikas. He described how he worked with police to fake his own death after police said his life was in danger. He described the example as "beyond imaginable."
 
That's great Niner. I have been catching up with the trial on You Tube. What do you think of his defense attorney? He is boring for sure but he seems to be doing more harm than good for Leon Jacob. I wonder if he is court appointed.
 
March 22, 2018:
'Absolutely not' guilty: Leon Jacob takes stand at his murder-for-hire trial
https://www.click2houston.com/news/...on-day-3-of-leon-jacobs-murder-for-hire-trial

HOUSTON - Leon Jacob, the man accused of orchestrating a plan to have his ex-girlfriend and the ex-husband of his lover killed, testified Thursday on the third day of his trial.
[.....]
On the stand, Jacob said, “I’m not on trial for being a womanizer. I’m on trial for solicitation of capital murder. You can assassinate my character all you want to be, it doesn’t make me guilty of what you’ve charged me with.”

He said he is "absolutely not" guilty of murder.
[.....]
The defense Thursday cross-examined the undercover hit man and tried to make the case that Jacob never actually said that he wanted the hit man to kill them.
[.....]
The defense is expected to rest its case Friday and the case could then go to the jury.

Court will reconvene at 9:30 a.m. Friday morning.




March 23, 2018:
Leon Jacob expected back on stand as murder-for-hire trial nears end
https://www.click2houston.com/news/...k-on-stand-as-murder-for-hire-trial-nears-end

HOUSTON - The man accused of orchestrating a plan to have his ex-girlfriend and his lover’s ex-husband killed is expected back on the stand Friday as his trial is nearing an end.
[.....]
On Thursday, Jacob testified that he never arranged to have anyone killed and that he only hired someone to investigate Verikas after the couple had decided to part ways. He said that he only had conversations about not wanting to hurt or harm anyone, and that McDaniel arranged the hits through undercover officers.
.....back on the stand Friday for cross-examination by the prosecution when the trial resumes at 9:30 a.m. He is also scheduled to be the last witness called.

The jury could begin deliberations after Jacob’s testimony, officials said.
 
Found some tweets from yesterday.

Ryan Korsgard
‏ @KPRC2Ryan
22h22 hours ago

Defense expected to call #leonjacob and his mother @KPRC2 when the defense gets the case.

$9,000 in in-person withdrawls in two weeks. $25,600 in net outlays Feb 11-27, 2017 #leonjacob @KPRC2

Defense makes point that couples routinely share accounts and there is nothing illegal about withdrawing cash or carrying $25k on your person #leonjacob @KPRC2

The "death notification" video by police is expected next #leonjacob @KPRC2

Officers shown at her door, entering apartment. McDaniel is at door. Asked "What's going on?" #leonjacob @KPRC2

"Sorry to have to tell you..." explains officer. Says ex husband was involved in a robbery gone wrong. She quickly says she was at his house last night #leonjacob @KPRC2

She appears to get emotional. Explains boyfriend and daughter are both in apartment #leonjacob @KPRC2

Valerie walks into bedroom to wake up #leonjacob. He comes out of bedroom wearing a ball cap. Officer says "I hope you can help us." @KPRC2

#leonjacob says "oh my God...." when informed of Mack McDaniel's alleged death. Jacob then quickly offers an alibi without officers asking. @KPRC2

#leonjacob said they had been at the condo all day watching movies....the entire day of activities. @KPRC2

#leonjacob says he had never met Mack McDaniel. "Holy ****!" said Jacob. He explained he lost his father when he was young @KPRC2

#leonjacob arrested "Why are we being arrested?" he asked @KPRC2

Investigators said they made efforts to make transition of daughter seamless. McDaniel was allowed, without handcuffs, to wake daughter and hand her off to ex husband #leonjacob @KPRC2 Now a break for lunch.


all from yesterday. Link: https://twitter.com/KPRC2Ryan


I'll keep an eye on this tweeter for today's trial.
 
Ryan Korsgard
‏ @KPRC2Ryan
18h18 hours ago

#Leonjacob and attorney are discussing whether or not Jacob will testify now. Linguist who was to testify is not allowed. This was considered the smoking gun by the defense @KPRC2

#leonjacob is on the stand. Gave his name. Acknowledged the charge against him. Described his education @KPRC2

#leonjacob says he made statements to police officers that were not true, including about how he rehabilitated people at Guantanamo for the purpose of torture @KPRC2

#leonjacob says he has two sons from a former marriage @KPRC2

#leonjacob says Valerie McDaniel was his commonlaw wife. "Was a lot of things" @KPRC2

#leonjacob says he and Valerie involved for "a couple of years," but not continuous @KPRC2

#leonjacob says he met Mack McDaniel a couple of times when McDaniel lived next to his mother @KPRC2

#leonjacob describes split with Verikas. Says they had an argument in January in 2017. Says she was moving cash out of their joint account @KPRC2

#leonjacob says Olive Garden was the first place he met with undercover officer. Said they met again at their River Oaks apartment @KPRC2

#leonjacob says Valerie arranged for and paid undercover officers for services about which he said he was not fully aware @KPRC2

#leonjacob said he never asked to have anyone hurt or killed @KPRC2

#leonjacob claims he says 177 times that he "doesn't want to harm or hurt anybody." @KPRC2

#leonjacob said he is "absolutely not" guilty of murder @KPRC2

Prosecutors point out that Verikas was the breadwinner, and his mother helped pay for child support @KPRC2 #leonjacob called it "family money." And mom pays his cell phone bill too.

Prosecutor says Meghan left #leonjacob after he "put his hand on her face." He denied that @KPRC2


and that's where it ended yesterday.
 
Finally found a few tweets:

Adam Bennett
‏Verified account @AdamBennettKHOU
1h1 hour ago

Day 5 of the #leonjacob trial starts at 9:30. Jacob is expected to take the stand once again after yesterday's testimony & cross-examination. #khou11


Joel Eisenbaum
‏ @KPRC2Joel
4m4 minutes ago

Jacob says he gave Zack money to help Meghan relocate... instead of prosecution contention that payment was for Zack to kill her. #LeonJacob



Michelle Rodriguez
‏ @m1chelle22
40s40 seconds ago

When you’re on trial for solicitation of capital murder, don’t forget to smile for the camera #leonjacob
DY-7nh2V4AAA-Bh.jpg
 
Joel Eisenbaum
‏ @KPRC2Joel
15m15 minutes ago

Jacob is moving us along his version of the timeline of events... we are creeping toward the moment when Jacob met "Zack"... who would become a police informant. #LeonJacob

28m28 minutes ago

Leon Jacob on the stand now.. taking questions from Defense 2nd chair... talking about ex wife and beginning of Meghan relationship. #LeonJacob

2m2 minutes ago

Phone call audio evidence played by defense: "You are going to take care of both problems?" Jacob says to Zack. Prosecution thinks there is room for interpretation here. #LeonJacob


Adam Bennett
‏Verified account @AdamBennettKHOU
25m25 minutes ago

#leonjacob talking about relationship w/ex-gf he's accused of trying to have killed. Met in Pittsburgh, moved to Houston together in Oct. 2014. “It was wonderful." Later, "Like any couple we had our arguments, but as time went on, we had more and more arguments.” #khou11

30m30 minutes ago

For the 2nd day in a row, judge rules defense's acoustics expert cannot testify, arguing it's up to the jury to decide what #leonjacob's recorded words meant. Jury is now in the courtroom, Jacob is now on the stand. #khou11

7m7 minutes ago

#leonjacob on $ to "private investigator": “It wasn’t a payment as a bribe. It was to help cover the cost of moving out of town and to help give her some cushion when she went back to Pittsburgh. It was support.” Referring to Jacob's ex he's accused of wanting killed. #khou11
 
Adam Bennett
‏Verified account @AdamBennettKHOU
13m13 minutes ago

Court hearing audio recordings between #leonjacob and undercover officer during meeting at Olive Garden: Jacob on ex-gf. "I just want her to leave." #khou11

#leonjacob says he believed ex-gf backed out of a deal to return to Pittsburgh, wanted her out of Houston so she couldn't testify against him in domestic violence case. Jacob admits he offered 2nd suggestion to undercover officer: plant drugs in ex's car. #khou11

#leonjacob responding to questions about his aggressive tone/language on recordings: “I felt a lot of pressure from them to sort of admit to this idea of killing people. That was never my intent...The police officer continued to bring up killing.” #khou11

#leonjacob on man he says he thought was a private investigator: “I was really concerned that he was an animal, that all he wanted to do was kill people. It was all he talked about.” #khou11

#leonjacob: “I thought if it came down to it, I might have to control the situation and not allow them to hurt anybody.” On recorded comment about injecting ex w/ potassium chloride: would “absolutely not” do it. Jacob later suggests escorting ex out of the state. #khou11


Link: https://twitter.com/AdamBennettKHOU


Think I'll stay with this guy.
 
Adam Bennett
‏Verified account @AdamBennettKHOU
19m19 minutes ago

Prosecutor to #leonjacob re: ex-husband of Jacob's then-gf Valerie McDaniel (also charged w/Solicitation of Capital Murder, later committed suicide): "It sounds like you hated the guy."

Jacob: “Still doesn’t mean you take someone’s life.” #khou11



not much coming thru....
 
Adam Bennett
‏Verified account @AdamBennettKHOU
13m13 minutes ago

#leonjacob upon hearing undercover officer claim to have killed Valerie McDaniel's ex: “It’s shocking to hear that someone’s dead, but again, this guy’s up there in the apartment with a gun, and I really didn’t know what to say.” #khou11

12 mins ago
Audio recording continues. Undercover officer: "By tomorrow, we can have her done, too." #leonjacob responds: “You don’t have to hurt her. I don’t want to hurt her.” #khou11
 
Colorado Alex
‏ @ACKamas
35m35 minutes ago

He wants her "taken care of" and even offers at one point to help inject her in order to kill her... then wants us to believe he didn't want her hurt. WTH? #leonjacob


Kevin Quinn
‏Verified account @imkevinquinn
24m24 minutes ago

Jacob says they were drinking “heavily” while talking in one conversation. He was having mixed drinks. The person who prosecutors say was the hitman, according to Jacob was drinking “ciders”. Heavily. #leonjacob #abc13

14m14 minutes ago
Jacob admits telling the undercover officer how someone could be killed with potassium chloride. “You gotta get it in the groin and you can’t have a needle mark.” #leonjacob #abc13


Joel Eisenbaum
‏ @KPRC2Joel
22m22 minutes ago

"if she doesnt leave this time you gotta do what you gotta do" Jacob says in conversation with undercover. then undercover says "by this time tomorrow she will be dead" and jacob responds "i would rather not" #leonjacob

9 mins ago
audio: "i need an answer" says undercover as he supposedly has Meghan captive and is going to kill her. "i dont want her hurt but if shes going to go to the cops..." jacob responds #LeonJacob



Adam Bennett
‏Verified account @AdamBennettKHOU
15m15 minutes ago

#leonjacob on conversations w/undercover officer: “At some point it was like beating a dead horse. He kept on saying ‘kill’, and I kept on saying ‘no’.” On recordings, officer also brings up killing the family of Jacob's ex-gf in PA to "make her go back". #khou11

11 mins ago
#leonjacob talking about potassium chloride injections with UC officer: “I’m trying to equal his sort of bravado. At this point, he’s scaring me...I’m clearly inebriated during most of this conversation. I was acting like an idiot. I don’t know what else to say.” #khou11

5 mins ago
On recordings after #leonjacob sees (staged) kidnapping photo of ex-gf, UC officer suggests shooting her unless Jacob wants to inject her w/potassium chloride, asks, “So, you don’t have access to that stuff right now?" #khou11

4 mins ago
#leonjacob suggests going to talk to ex-gf in person, “I think it’s the only thing I can possibly do to try to save her life.” #khou11
 
brian rogers
‏Verified account @brianjrogers
32m32 minutes ago

Back from lunch, #LeonJacob still on the stand, continuing to deny that he he ever wanted to kill anyone. https://www.chron.com/news/article/...m_source=CMS Sharing Button&utm_medium=social … #HouNews #HouCrime



Joel Eisenbaum
‏ @KPRC2Joel
28m28 minutes ago

...and we're back. Jacob back on the stand.. and We are back listening to audio segments which defense says shows that Jacob did not want his ex-girlfriend killed. #LeonJacob

24 mins ago
Jacob said he was under stress upon hearing his ex was bound and he was trying to talk fake hitman (cop) out of killing her. Not sure i would say the audio clip supports that claim. #LeonJacob

21 mins ago
Now we just heard Jacob being given the news the fake hitman cop killed his ex-girlfriend. Jacob's response is garbled. he says on the stand now at that point he was in disbelief. #LeonJacob

17 mins ago
Time for cross-ex of Jacob. Prosecution comes out swinging. #LeonJacob


Adam Bennett
‏Verified account @AdamBennettKHOU
15m15 minutes ago

Prosecutors now cross-examining:

Prosecutor: “'Call me. I want this girl finished.' Do you remember texting that to your mom?”

#leonjacob: "I texted it, yes."



Joel Eisenbaum
‏ @KPRC2Joel
13m13 minutes ago

Prosecution is laying out the reasons why Jacob would want his girlfriend dead... protective order, etc. Shes hammering him... trying to upset his deliberate rhythym on the stand. #LeonJacob
 

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