Sex Offender Accused in Plot to Kill Texas Judge

A convicted sex offender has been indicted on attempted capital murder charges for what prosecutors say was a $30,000 offer to have a Waco judge killed.

William Ray Phillips was indicted Wednesday by a McLennan County grand jury. Prosecutors say the 63-year-old Phillips was plotting the murder-for-hire scheme against State District Judge Matt Johnson. Phillips has been in custody since February and Johnson presided over two of his previous trials.

The Waco Tribune-Herald reports a 10-month investigation showed Phillips also had McLennan County District Attorney Abel Reyna and U.S. District Judge Walter Smith on his hit list but was willing to pay only for Johnson to be killed.

Conviction on the attempted capital murder charge could get Phillips a life prison term.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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