OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A woman who tried to hire a hit man to kill her ex-boyfriend was sentenced Thursday to seven years, six months in prison.
Melissa Smith, 39, previously pleaded no contest Thursday to a charge of solicitation of first-degree intentional homicide.
Winnebago County Judge John Jorgensen also placed Smith on extended supervision for four years after the prison term. Another year of prison on a drug count will be served concurrently.
Before the sentence was issued, Smith apologized, saying she “lost herself” with drugs.
“I am not the monster society has made me out to be,” she said.
According to the criminal complaint, Smith was upset with a man who had told police about her drug dealings. During testimony at a preliminary hearing, the officer identified the target as Smith’s ex-boyfriend.
Police recorded a confidential informant (CI) talking with Smith. The ex-boyfriend target is identified as V1 in the complaint, but is not named.
“On the recording, CI discussed with Smith possible payment of $500, or Smith relieving a $520 debt owed by CI from a vehicle transaction. The plan was for CI to execute the murder, and CI told Smith that CI would need duct tape and plastic or tarp, for purposes of moving the body. CI and Smith had prior discussions about obtaining a gun for the murder, but during the recorded conversation, CI suggested that would not be necessary, and that V1 was smaller, so CI could break V1’s neck,” the criminal complaint states.
“Smith mentioned her plan to move out of the area, and indicated she was going to take money from V1’s residence. CI had previously relayed to investigators that Smith believed V1 had drug money stashed at V1’s residence, which was located in Oshkosh, Winnebago County, Wisconsin. Smith talked about having to sell her property before leaving, including her vehicle.”
Smith had plans to leave the country to go to the Dominican Republic, the informant said.
When confronted by police, however, Smith initially denied any knowledge of a murder plot.
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