Operation Murder | Full Episode
Summary
TLDRThe script details the chilling case of Dr. Valerie McDaniel and Dr. Leon Jacob, both medical professionals in Houston, Texas, who were charged with solicitation of capital murder for plotting to kill their respective ex-partners. The narrative unfolds with Valerie, a successful veterinarian, and Leon, a doctor with a troubled past, who become entangled in a lavish lifestyle and a tumultuous relationship. Valerie's life takes a dark turn after her divorce from her ex-husband, Mac, when she becomes involved with Leon, who has a history of violence and legal issues. The plot thickens as Leon, facing a potential career-ending testimony from his ex-girlfriend Megan, allegedly hires a hitman, who turns out to be an undercover officer. The police operation, involving staged photographs and a sting, culminates in the arrest of Valerie and Leon. The trial reveals the couple's attempts to manipulate the hitman and their eventual sentencing, with Leon receiving a life sentence. The summary serves as a stark reminder of the dangerous consequences of greed and lust for control.
Takeaways
- ๐ Valerie McDaniel was a successful veterinarian and valedictorian, living a high-end life until her marriage to Mac McDaniel fell apart due to his infidelity.
- ๐ Valerie and Mac's divorce was prompted by Mac's multiple affairs, which were revealed when a woman claimed to be his lover and provided a list of other women he had been with.
- ๐คตโโ๏ธ Leon Jacob, a medical doctor with a troubled past, entered Valerie's life and quickly became her new live-in boyfriend, but he was also dealing with his own history of assault and stalking charges.
- ๐ The Houston Police Department was involved in a major investigation after Mac McDaniel was reported dead, which later turned out to be part of a sting operation.
- ๐ธ Leon had a history of failed relationships and was facing a criminal case that threatened his career as a doctor, leading him to consider extreme measures to remove obstacles in his life.
- ๐จ Leon attempted to hire a hitman to kill his ex-girlfriend, Megan Veros, and Valerie's ex-husband, Mac, to eliminate problems in their lives and protect Leon's future.
- ๐ง Taz, a decorated former US Army soldier, was approached by Leon to be the hitman but instead became a key part of the police sting operation to expose Leon's and Valerie's plans.
- ๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธ Detective Javier, an undercover officer, played a hitman to gather evidence against Leon and Valerie, leading to their arrest for solicitation of capital murder.
- ๐ข Valerie, overwhelmed by the legal and personal consequences of her actions, tragically took her own life by jumping from her condo, leaving her daughter and friends in shock.
- ๐ Leon's trial revealed a complex story of manipulation, control, and murder-for-hire, with his defense arguing that he was pressured into the deadly decisions by the undercover officer.
- โ๏ธ The jury found Leon Jacob guilty of solicitation of capital murder and sentenced him to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 22 years.
Q & A
What was Valerie McDaniel's educational achievement?
-Valerie McDaniel was the valedictorian of her 1987 high school graduating class and earned her degree in veterinary medicine at Texas A&M.
How did Valerie and Mac McDaniel meet?
-Valerie and Mac McDaniel met during her time at Texas A&M, where she was studying veterinary medicine.
What was the turning point in Valerie and Mac's marriage?
-The turning point in their marriage was when Valerie received a phone call from a woman claiming to have been Mac's lover and provided a list of other women he had been with.
Who is Leon Jacob and what was his relationship with Valerie?
-Leon Jacob is a medical doctor, 8 years younger than Valerie, and the son of Valerie's neighbor. He and Valerie developed a romantic relationship after her divorce from Mac.
What was Leon Jacob's history of legal issues?
-Leon Jacob had a history of legal issues including extreme mental cruelty, stalking, and assault charges from his previous relationships.
What was the role of Taz in the investigation?
-Taz, a decorated former US Army soldier, was introduced to Leon as a potential hitman. Instead, Taz informed the police and participated in a sting operation to help catch Leon soliciting a murder.
What was the outcome of the sting operation?
-The sting operation resulted in the arrest of Leon and Valerie for solicitation to commit capital murder. The intended victims, Megan and Mac, were alive and participated in the sting by staging their deaths.
What happened to Valerie after her arrest?
-After her arrest, Valerie's veterinary license was suspended. She was released on bail and later recorded her side of the story using her iPad. Two weeks after her arrest, Valerie committed suicide by jumping from her condo.
What was the final verdict in Leon Jacob's trial?
-Leon Jacob was found guilty of two counts of solicitation of capital murder. The jury deliberated for an hour and fifteen minutes before reaching the unanimous verdict.
What was the sentence given to Leon Jacob?
-Leon Jacob was sentenced to life in prison on each count of solicitation of capital murder. He will be eligible for parole in the year 2047.
What impact did Leon Jacob's actions have on his victims?
-Leon Jacob's actions caused significant emotional and financial distress to his victims. His ex-girlfriend, Megan, lost her sense of security, and his ex-wife, Annie, lived in constant fear for herself and her children.
Outlines
๐ High School Valedictorian Turned Veterinarian
Valerie McDaniel, a successful veterinarian and valedictorian of her high school class, is introduced. She is portrayed as a generous and creative individual who had a passion for veterinary work. Despite her successful career, she faced personal challenges, including an affair and subsequent divorce from her husband, Mac, and a new relationship with a man named Leon Jacob, who would later become her fiancรฉ.
๐ A Veterinarian's Tragic Love Triangle
Valerie's life takes a dark turn after her divorce from Mac, with whom she had a daughter. She enters into a relationship with Leon Jacob, a medical doctor with a troubled past, including a history of mental cruelty and stalking charges. The couple's relationship is marred by issues related to Mac and Leon's past loves, leading to a complex and tumultuous situation.
๐ The Hitman Plot: A Twisted Scheme
The narrative delves into Leon's plot to hire a hitman, Taz, to kill his ex-girlfriend, Megan, to prevent her from testifying against him in an assault case. Taz, a former soldier, instead decides to save Megan and cooperates with law enforcement to expose Leon's criminal intentions. Leon's character is painted as manipulative and dangerous, willing to go to extreme lengths to get what he wants.
๐ค The Sting Operation: Undercover and Deceptive
An undercover officer, Detective Javier, posing as a hitman, is introduced to Leon by Taz. A sting operation is set up where Leon and Valerie discuss the murder of their respective exes. The operation is meticulously recorded, capturing incriminating conversations that would later be used in court.
๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธ The Arrest and Aftermath
Valerie and Leon are arrested after a staged scenario where they are led to believe their exes are dead. The reality that both targets are alive is revealed, leading to a dramatic confrontation. The impact of the arrest on Valerie is profound, leading to the suspension of her veterinary license and personal despair.
๐ The Trial and Testimonies
The trial of Leon Jacob unfolds, with testimonies from Megan, Leon's ex-girlfriend, and Mack, Valerie's ex-husband. The prosecution builds a case around Leon's control issues and the perceived threats posed by Megan and Mack to his relationship with Valerie. The defense argues that the undercover officer influenced Leon's decisions.
๐ The Verdict and Sentencing
Leon is found guilty of solicitation of capital murder for both Megan and Mack. The jury deliberates his sentence, hearing from Annie Morrison, Leon's ex-wife, who recounts instances of abuse. The jury sentences Leon to life in prison for each count, making him eligible for parole in 2047. Megan delivers a powerful victim impact statement, expressing her hope for justice and closure.
Mindmap
Keywords
๐กSolicitation of Capital Murder
๐กSting Operation
๐กUndercover Officer
๐กEx-Wife and Ex-Girlfriend
๐กVeterinary Medicine
๐กDivorce
๐กAdoption
๐กAssault Charges
๐กStalking
๐กSuicide
๐กLife in Prison
Highlights
Valerie McDaniel, a successful veterinarian, was caught up in a murder-for-hire plot involving her ex-husband and new lover, Leon Jacob.
Valerie was a top student and valedictorian of her high school class, with a seemingly bright future ahead.
Leon Jacob, a medical doctor with a troubled past, had a history of violence and was previously arrested for stalking and assault.
The couple's lavish lifestyle unraveled as they conspired to have their respective exes killed, leading to an elaborate sting operation.
Taz, a former U.S. Army soldier, posed as a hitman and infiltrated the couple's plot, saving the lives of the intended victims.
The Houston Police Department conducted a major investigation, leading to the arrest of Valerie and Leon for solicitation of capital murder.
Valerie's life took a tragic turn after her arrest, culminating in her suicide just weeks after being charged.
Leon Jacob's trial revealed his manipulative nature and control over Valerie, leading to his conviction.
The prosecution presented evidence of Leon's pattern of threatening and attempting to harm those close to him.
Leon's defense argued that he was set up by an overzealous undercover officer pushing for a confession.
The jury found Leon guilty and sentenced him to life in prison for each count of solicitation of capital murder.
Leon's ex-wife and ex-girlfriend testified about his history of violence and threats, influencing the jury's decision.
The case highlighted the dangers of intimate partner violence and the complexity of criminal psychology.
The story serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive potential of greed, manipulation, and lust for control.
The involvement of a decorated military man turned the tide in a deadly game, showcasing the power of moral courage.
The case study provides insights into the legal and ethical implications of undercover operations in criminal investigations.
The tragic story underscores the importance of mental health support and intervention in cases of domestic violence.
Transcripts
48 Hours
presents this is offic the Houston
Police Department major offenders
division career criminal
[Music]
Squad hey my name is Valerie
McDaniel I've always tried to be an
honest kind
person I've try to live the best life I
can
Valerie wound up being the top of the
class the valedictorian the
valedictorian in our 1987 High School
graduating class she sure did my name is
Megan she's my second
cousin she's generous and creative smart
nice and
sweet she would always like take care of
my dog
[Music]
I wasn't sure if I should be a vet
anymore and Valerie brought that passion
back I know that Valerie made an audio
recording of all of her memorable
moments in life I met through friends a
man named MC
MCD and thought he was the cutest thing
tall and skinny with his boots
Valerie and Mac lived a lavish lifestyle
a high-end life you know a life of
luxury life of beauty Great Cars Valley
had a Mercedes daughter went to a great
school they worked a lot that was a big
thing they both be working and but did
they seem happy together yeah yeah it
seemed
[Music]
great one morning at
work
there was a a note on my desk that
said Dr McDaniel call Miss
Brown she said I've been your husband's
lover it tore up divorce is never an
easy
thing she met Leon a medical doctor he
actually went to the same school I did a
little bit of ER but then also like like
cardio and
transplant
I looked at him and smiled and he smiled
back and just a beautiful
person her face her smile she had this
outwardly exuberance of energy that I
really can't describe she fell for Leon
she was madly in love with him we were
um planning on getting
[Music]
married Mac always wanted more more more
at the detriment of their
daughter my name is MZ Ai and Leon Jacob
tried to hire me as a
Hitman in the car did he give you
$2,500 he paid the $2,000 in cash yes in
cash right and what did you see on his
face
excitement he was enjoying it like he
actually was excited about the whole
thing I could never hurt the man that my
daughter loves so much the male subject
he's
gone he's done all
right this has been a long drawn out
story that's led to an unbelievable
conclusion when he came into my office
he shut the door he said I'm Dr Leon
Jacob I felt like I was talking to Satan
himself
[Music]
[Music]
48 hours operation murder reported by
Peter Van Sant continues in 90
seconds
[Music]
2453
2453 yes ma'am it's going to be a major
offenders
[Music]
investigation it's 3:00 a.m. on Friday
March 10th
2017 h Houston police are making their
way to the seventh floor condo of
beloved veterinarian Valerie
McDaniel AF we have some bad news bad
doesn't begin to describe what's about
to be
revealed found it looks like
it turns out to be a
fatality Valerie's ex-husband Mack
police tell her was dead just 6 months
after after their divorce had become
final do you have anybody you can call
to to help you to stay to stay with you
but how could Valerie's life have
arrived at this Dreadful
[Music]
moment Valerie earned her degree in
veterinary medicine at Texas A&M it was
during that time she met Mac McDaniel
Valerie's friend Greg Holloway my
impression of Mac is that he was a a
good man he was a standup guy Mack
proposed and Valerie had the man of her
dreams as she describes in that
recording of her memories we did get
married we had a beautiful fairy tale
wedding moved into a house that my
parents had bought me to live in not
long after that Valerie decided to open
her own
Clinic Valerie's cousin Cody Bernard I
admired her it sunk something inside of
me I wanted to I want to do that one day
something big you
know Mack was her office manager but
even as the vet clinic thrived the two
longed for something more he said she
couldn't have any children so the only
option was to
adopt in 2008 the couple adopted a
daughter when she was just 2 days old
but as their new family came together
their marriage began to fall apart it
started Valerie says with a phone call
from a stranger the woman who claimed to
have been Max's lover but Valerie says
that wasn't all she gave me L of women
that he had slept
with Valerie says she confronted Mac and
forgave him but claims it wasn't long
before Mac cheated
again and that was the first time I ever
said the word divorce and I yeled at him
outside and I yelled it and I yelled
it Valerie says she forgave Mac yet
again but then a chance encounter would
change the course of her life Leon Jacob
the son of Valerie's neighbor Golda
Jacob stopped by he ran up to me and um
stuck his hand out and introduced
himself the cockiest mother ever met in
my life Valerie was in her mid-40s but
she was stunning um both inside and out
the attraction was Mutual you could tell
he
knew how beautiful
and I was
lonely Leon Jacob was 8 years younger
than Valerie and a doctor what type of
surgeries have you done all kinds of
surgeries I've assisted in heart kidney
pancreas
transplants with a strained home life
and an attractive new friend what
happened next may have been inevitable
and he sat across from me and we had
some wine and I had my out on the chair
next to him just out of the blue he
reached out and
just ran his finger up
my left foot and that was it it was like
a movie
moment it's quite an interlude according
to what she described yeah compliments
uh all around I guess in December 2014
Valerie filed for divorce claiming Mac
committed adultery Mac's attorneys told
us Mac had no comment about the divorce
petition and the claims Valerie made in
her audio
diary between Max alleged cheating and
Valerie's new love interest both wanted
out of the marriage the divorce was
finalized in August
2016 Valerie and her daughter then moved
into this building in the upscale River
Oak section of
Houston not long after Leon joined them
here the relationship really Blossom
quickly because we had been very close
friends for so long Dr Britney King
worked alongside Valerie at the vet
clinic I seem very much in love um
holding hands and and loving towards
each other but there was one old problem
in Valerie and lon's new relationship
and his name was
Mac there were multiple times in the
clinic where she would just be in tears
um say everything okay and it was
something surrounding um her ex-husband
Mac had found out that Leon was staying
with me that be arguments or uh stuff
with the the child of visitation but
Leon had his own issues with past loves
one involving extreme mental cruelty and
another assault and stalking charges
Leon Jacob is a predator he's scary
Samantha connect is a Harris County
assistant District attorney he wants
what he wants and he'll stop at nothing
to get it could there be more to
Valerie's new love than she can
imagine he has no problem using women um
in fact I I think he enjoys
it
Valerie McDaniel's new live-in boyfriend
grew up in a Texas sized world of beauty
opulence and opportunity I always wanted
to be a doctor my whole life ever since
I was about three or
four as he pursued his degrees Leon met
and married his college sweetheart they
had two boys we had a happy loving
family I two great kids two
boys they're the most important things
to me in my
life a good family and now with an MD
after his name Leon was well on his
way but Leon's picture perfect life
disguised a troubled
relationship after 12 years of marriage
his wife filed for divorce citing
extreme mental cruelty and one year
later Leon was arrested for stalking his
now ex Leon has to be in control when
his ex-wife went to in their
relationship he wasn't going to have it
um and he wasn't going to go down
without a fight Leon isn't it true that
you've had brushes with the law
involving stalking cyber stalking
intimidation uh physical harassment
assault aren't all those true I pled
guilty to
a attempted cyber harassment charge that
was stemming from an acrimonious divorce
that I went through with my previous
wife Leon admits that he called often
but he claims it was simply to speak
with his Boys I Tried desperately to
contact my kids over and over and over
again and I'm not going to apologize for
that Leon finally moved on to a new
residency and was living in Pittsburgh
where he met this woman 33-year-old
Megan veras I met Megan in a hotel in
Pittsburgh she was the assistant general
manager
there the new couple moved to
Houston there were lavish
vacations family get togethers and yet
another residency Leon's 7eventh he's a
failed doctor he's been kicked out of
every Residency program he's ever been a
part of and what's the problem what was
the basis of these dismissals do you
know the belief that he was the smartest
guy in the room inability to get along
with people um inability to get along
with patients and in fact one of the
records that we found said that they
believe that he was a danger to patients
and that he would be a liability for
them to keep
around 3 years into their relationship
Megan vericast thought leyon was a
threat to her too Megan kicked leyon out
of their apartment later accusing him of
assaulting
her she wanted me to move all my stuff
out she came there and was very hostile
the police uh were called there was no
violence of any kind and a day later she
claimed that I had hit her and that
you'd put your hand over her mouth yeah
which is not true Leon is about Leon
smile D smile it frustrated him to no
end that Megan varos would not forgive
him and the fact that he couldn't get
Megan back frustrated him and angered
him Leon was arrested in February
2017 for assault and star
you can charge anybody with anything it
doesn't mean that you're guilty of that
the DA's office has been on this case
since its Inception we help prosecutors
are convinced that Leon knew his future
as a doctor would be destroyed if Megan
testified against him so they believe he
planned a little operation to make his
pain go away he feels like if Megan
disappears if she goes away that his
criminal case will go away and he can
res resume his career as this beloved
surgeon that he thinks that he is
prosecutors claim Leon decided what he
needed was a hitman and he thought he'd
found one Taz are you a Hitman no were
you ever willing to murder anyone for
money no no no no I would never do
something like that Taz aay was
introduced to leyon by a mutual
acquaintance did Leon ever tell you how
he wanted his ex-girlfriend to be killed
yes he he actually offered suggestions
one of them was a syringe to the heart
with potassium would give her a heart
attack and that would actually kill her
Taz is a decorated former US Army
soldier who saw Lyon's deadly demand as
an opportunity to Save a Life I saw
somebody in danger and I knew that I can
do something about it and I did
something about it Leon knew Taz by the
code name Zach he says Leon wanted him
to kidnap Megan first to talk her into
taking him back and if that didn't work
leaving town but that wasn't all if she
doesn't leave what are you going to do
and he was like I want you to kill her
I'm not going to comment on any of this
it's just
ridiculous Taz says Leon paid him
$9,000 which he happily spent to be
honest I don't feel bad that I spent
Jacob's money matter of fact I feel
really good I spent his
money then the man Leon knew as Zach
vanished Leon Jacob was one of the most
Unique Individuals I'd ever met Bale
bondman Michael kubos this guy was
focused was very intimidating didn't
shake my hand just wanted to know one
thing I want Zach's number he said I've
paid Zach a lot of money need to take
care of
this I felt like I was talking to the
Devil
Himself here more from the soldier who
played a Hitman to Save a Life on
Facebook at 48
Hours tonight's 48 hours will
continue this is not a minor point
this is really a who done it this is a
heavy gun this is
real this is crazy this is the Moment of
Truth this is exactly what I tried to
[Music]
stop tucked away on a side street in
Houston is perh perhaps the most
colorful bail bondsman in all of Texas
having hung out a bit with you you are
the Elvis of bale bondsman you have his
name is Michael kubos these are people
that we're looking for fugitives and he
understands the Criminal Mind I deal
with the nicest the kindest and the
meanest people on the face of the Earth
I've bonded out judges prostitutes
preachers
missionaries
he's also a larger than life member of
the Houston city council who helps saved
lives during Hurricane Harvey I can see
You' been really working hard I know all
the major law enforcement people in in
the whole
County Leon had stormed into kubos his
office he said I've paid Zach a lot of
money to take care of this said take
care of what he said I want her out of
the picture
and and and I she can't be testifying
against me out of the picture out of the
picture I believe that he meant ill
toward this woman and that's why I call
the chief the chief of the chief of
police in Houston
Texas a search for the mysterious Zach
was triggered and investigators quickly
learned his real name Taz a a name that
kubash did recognize as a former
military man who is facing a misdemeanor
theft charge for stealing from his
roommate he was on bond with me he was
still
free it took Houston police about a week
to find Taz and that's when things got
really
interesting to me Taz seemed genuinely
concerned for Megan this man is an
undercover officer with the Houston
Police Department who goes by the name
detective Javier he didn't want to see
her hurt so Taz agreed to participate in
a sting operation to help catch Leon
Jacob in the act of soliciting a
murder hello hey what's up man how you
doing B Taz told Leon that he felt he
had grown too close to him and Valerie
and thought it best to hire another
Hitman and he knew just the right guy
can you meet me tomorrow yeah I I'll
clear my SK no
problem the next day Taz would introduce
Leon to his new Hitman undercover
detective Javier but before Taz could
hang up Leon Dropped a Bomb we're taking
care of both problems what both problems
both of the individuals that we're
talking
about uh
okay Valerie McDaniel Leon's new
girlfriend the mild-mannered
veterinarian who friends had described
as an angel wanted her ex-husband
murdered Valerie wants to talk to you
about what he want she wants to do with
her ex-husband okay that's good all
right just bring her with you tomorrow
the next day Leon and Valerie met with
Taz and detective Javier at this Olive
Garden to discuss the fate of both their
exes over lunch the entire operation was
recorded the meeting lasted nearly 2
hours and began with Leon's Target Megan
I don't want you to hurt her but I want
her to
go he told me that he wanted me to run
her off the road and threaten her but
then he would say to me if she does not
understand that then you do what you
have to do those options don't
work I don't give
a we got
got there was no doubt in my mind that
Leon wanted Megan killed the subject
then turned to Valerie's Target her ex
husband Mac say if something would
happen to
him or could be a car it could be a
robbery going she was under the belief
that I was going to carjack him and I
was going to put a bullet in his head
which is exactly what I told her I was
going to do but you need to to go
ahead want to do
that take
my the next day March 9th 2017 detective
Javier called Leon to say he had good
news that he insisted on delivering in
person are you
AF he went to their home where he
informed them Mac was dead neither
wanted to see this
photo which seemed to show Mac with a
gunshot to the head when Valerie got the
news that her husband was dead was she
emotional about it did she say oh my God
I never wanted to go this far she did
not show that what they didn't know is
that Mac was alive and well he' posed
for those photos as part of this
elaborate sting
operation believing was dead Leon set
his sights on Megan so you're going to
snatch her and you're going to bring her
some and talk to her that's the
plan I need to show up you call me later
that
night these staged photographs of Megan
were texted to Leon and he was told she
was so out of control she had to be
killed she's dead she's gone
I don't want to know
anything on that scale of good to evil
in your mind what is Leon
Jacob Leon is a very evil person he was
willing to do whatever he needed to do
to
[Music]
survive tonight's 48 hours will
continue weekday good morning to you and
welcome to CBS This Morning join Tony
dcoa Anthony Mason and kale King I'm
very glad it's us today the new CBS This
Morning
[Music]
[Music]
weekday
it was probably around 2: or 3: in the
morning on March 10th 2017 Valerie
McDaniel and her Livin boyfriend Leon
Jacob get a wakeup call from Sergeant
Frank Quinn that will soon lead to an
Oscar winning performance what's going
on she lets them inside but she Fain
surprise she can't understand why
they're there remember just hours before
detective Javier posing as a Hitman had
told her that Mack was dead but now
Valerie has to convince police she is
hearing it for the first time sorry I
have to tell you have you heard from him
recently she pretends to be upset she
puts her head in her hands uh she sits
down and she acts like she's completely
shocked and surprised that her
ex-husband is dead is your boyfriend
here with you
you think he could kind of be a little
help to
[Music]
tonight this surreal scene caught by the
body cameras of Houston Police is about
to reach its
climax we were hoping you could help us
we had to deliver some bad news
to ex-husband been found toight oh my
God Wass
[Music]
like might have been a robbery WR trying
if anybody knows anything or no we to
help us are you okay
baby we've been here all
night we were here all day with and
their daughter and we watching
movies we haven't been out of the house
all day except then the cops decide to
call cut on all this bad acting right
now we're going to read you your rights
cuz both of you are being arrested for
solicitation
it is only then that the couple learns
that both their intended targets are
alive and well I don't know why I'm
being arrested Leon is Led
Out can I get a sweatshirt I'm already
cold and Valerie has a much bigger
concern her daughter who's been asleep
in the apartment this whole time
although not caught on camera Mac
arrives to pick up their 8-year-old and
what did Valerie say to her you know
something along the lines of just you
know taking you to your dad he's outside
and he's going to take you and it was
very benign and you know just normal as
could be and so all of a sudden on the
news media came the arrest of two
doctors a Houston woman and her
boyfriend were charged with trying to
have their exes killed and I'm laying
there thinking well that's not the
Valerie I know and they show the film of
her going up for her arraignment you
about fall out of your chair that almost
rolled out of the bed because Leon has
those other pending charges related to
Megan he doesn't make bail but Valerie
does Valerie was rushed out the jail
alongside family after and goes home to
wait for the legal process to play out I
remember texting her throughout the week
and calling her and constantly sending
her I love you you know you can get
through this so happy you're out
Valerie's Veterinary license got
suspended because of the charges Britney
says Valerie was weighed down by her
arrest and the prospect she wouldn't be
seeing her daughter for a long long
time she visited Valerie at her
high-rise condo but I remember giving
her a hug goodbye and I just felt the
life in the eyes was not
there it's weird things it wasn't like
Bam Bam Bam ression things just
gradually happened 2 weeks after the
shock and shame of being charged with
solicitation of capital murder Valerie
McDaniel used her iPad March 25th it's
been a few days to record her side of
the story I didn't wake up one day and
just say hey I want to kill my
ex-husband for Valerie everything she
loved was slipping away
I want to talk to my daughter I want to
talk to
[Music]
Leon this I'm just not
SP I wish I were I just can't do it just
can't do
it 2 days after her final
recording on March 27th
2017 Valerie who once seemed Unstoppable
did
the
unthinkable she climbed over this very
railing and jumped seven stories to her
death she wanted me to be home with her
and we were going to get through this
and it was devastating and
[Music]
shocking I think that she was in a very
vulnerable position when she met Leon
Jacob but I think he influenced her and
brainwashed her
I'm innocent and um as a human being and
as a
physici that thought of killing somebody
else is just goes against everything in
my my nature it really depends on what
they find Leon has hired one of the top
defense attorneys in Texas George
parnham who says Valerie McDaniel was
the one calling all the shots I'm sorry
for her demise but I believe that
Valerie
uh is and was responsible for this
entire scenario that she was the driver
she was the financier of all of this
that that just my
understanding the question now what will
a jury
think on March 20th 2018 a week before
the first anniversary of Valerie's
suicide this is a state of Texas versus
Leon Philip Jacob Leon alone trial on
two counts of solicitation of capital
murder one of the things you learn about
Leon Jacob is he has to be in control
Mack was going to die and Megan was
going to die Cameron cigan is Samantha
con's co-prosecutor he says Lyon's
motive was clear there was two obstacles
to the defendant's new life with Valerie
mcdan it was Ma and it was Megan Mac
could keep Valerie away from him by
making Valerie choose between the
defendant and her daughter and Megan
could make him end up in
prison George parham's co-counsel
Matthew ppil claims that it was the
undercover officer whose identity were
protecting by calling detective Javier
who pushed Ferry and Lyon to make a
deadly choice if it was not her offic
trying to make this into a television
story and force his own narrative Leon
would not be forced here today to tell
his story all right thank you all please
be seated let's continue testimony
begins with some of the early stops on
this long road to Justice starting with
Megan he didn't want her to testify
against him and he had paid somebody a
lot of money to make sure that she
wouldn't be here to testify against him
he actually wanted me to um make her
disappear oh basically he wanted to gone
like dead call your next witness please
before the trial concludes two potential
victim victims will rise from the dead
to take the stand could you please
introduce yourself to the members of our
jury and the jury will hear from Leon
who says he's only guilty of being a
Casanova I have no problem sitting here
and saying that I slept with Valerie 7
days after Megan and I broke up but I'm
not on trial for being a womanizer I'm
on trial for solitation of capital
murder so you can assassinate my
character all you want up here it
doesn't make me guilty of what you
charged me with
[Music]
one of the prosecution's strongest
Witnesses Megan veros Leon's
ex-girlfriend who had filed assault
charges against him in January 2017
takes the stand it was a long time
coming um I tried to leave several times
she recalls Leon coming to the house
where she was staying just after the
alleged incident I
obviously didn't want to be near him so
I hid in a
closet why did you hide in a closet
because I was afraid of Leon he came in
and was screaming and yelling and he
said I know that that is here
Megan says Leon kept pursuing her
when she was at work he was in the
bushes outside um on a cell phone um
waiting for me and when she drove to her
new home at that point I called 911 to
let them know um that you know my
ex-boyfriend who assaulted me was um in
a car behind
me and then some point Leon had gotten
out of his vehicle in front of mine just
yelling and waving his hands saying you
know just talk to me just talk to me I
need to talk to you
Leon was arrested a second time on
stalking charges on February 16th
2017 less than 10 days after that Megan
was contacted by police and warned her
life could be in danger she fled to her
hometown of Pittsburgh but police soon
called her to return to Houston to be
part of that sting operation I sat in a
chair in a warehouse and um they zip
tied my hands and my feet um and put
duct tap around my mouth to make me look
as if I had been kidnapped I was crying
and really
upset next it was Valerie's ex-husband
Mack McDaniel's turn we were married for
17 years and divorced and 2016 he
recalled finding out his ex-wife was
living with leyon what was your initial
reaction to that my initial reaction was
not good and why was that because I was
aware of his history his criminal
history did you convey to Valerie that
you did not want the defendant around
your daughter on the weeks that she had
custody yes ma'am and did she agree to
that she did at some point did you learn
that she was not abiding by the
agreement I did Mack tells the jury he
too was notified he was the target of a
murder plot then the prosecution shows
the jury that photo can you describe for
the members of the jury what you're
doing here staging my death did they
pour blood on you Pig's
blood 3 days into the 5-day long trial
it's the defenses turn they call their
star
witness I never asked anybody to kill
anybody does the word kill hurt harm in
any way shape or form appear in any of
those recorded conversations not on my
behalf except for to exclude them from
things I want done
I never asked to have anybody hurt
killed
harmed um
kidnapped I never asked for anybody to
be in any way physically hurt but the
prosecution says that's not true she's
dead she's
gone I don't want to know anything and
they claim those undercover tapes back
that up did you not want anybody hurt
when you said inject her with potassium
chloride stop her heart
untraceable I said that was a something
you could do I didn't say that for him
to do that did you recall telling the
undercover officer if those options
don't work I don't give a then you got
to do what you got to do because my
survival is more
important
yes Leon's own words come back to haunt
him regarding Mack as well after the
undercover officer proposed a fatal car
jacket it could be a
robbery Leon offered
$10,000 in four weekly
installments so you're agreeing to give
him
$2,500 just after he tells you I'm going
to put a bullet in his head and throw
him on the
street if that's what you say well
that's in the recording it's not what I
say it's what Javier and you said
right I guess Leon and the defense team
tried to make their point that the
undercover officer was pressuring them
into making deadly decisions I kept on
telling them I didn't want anybody hurt
and they kept on going back to the theme
of killing people I felt a lot of
pressure from them to sort of commit to
this idea of killing people
and that was never my intent were you
asking them just to threaten
people essentially is did you actually
want any harm to come to anybody no but
the prosecution points out that when
Leon thought Megan was tied up and
refusing to cooperate he did nothing to
stop the lethal final step you'd agree
with me that you never said no no I
don't want you to do anything stop this
you didn't say anything like that did
you
no the jury gets the case is the jury
reached unanimous verdicts it takes just
an hour and 15 minutes before returning
to the
courtroom with the jury find the
defendant Leon Philip Jacob guilty of
solicitation of capital murder is
charged in the
indictment Leon is found guilty on both
counts of conspiring to have Megan and
Mack
killed the trial moves to the sentencing
phase the same jury that found leyon
guilty will decide his punishment
new testimony begins I have no sense of
trust
um just constantly afraid that something
else is going to happen the only thing
that might impact Leon's sentence more
than the words of his
exgirlfriend may end up being the words
of his ex-wife the state calls Annie
Morrison Annie Morrison has flown in
from Chicago to testify yes there was a
time that we got into a fight and he
pulled an knife on me there was one time
he pushed my head down onto the counter
and and bruised my face near my
eye any recounts an incident she says
occurred when she was 7 months pregnant
with their second
child he threatened a punched me in the
stomach um he kicked my legs I remember
I remember bringing my legs up as far as
I could toward my chest to try to
protect my stomach he threatened that if
I ever left
that he would kill
me he said that nobody would ever find
my body because he was a doctor and he
had access to chemicals that
would that would dissolve my
body Annie did leave moving to her
parents' home in Chicago that's when Lon
started threatening her parents thank
you judge may I publish st's exhibit
number 81 to the jury as the jury heard
in this recording Annie made of a phone
call with Leon I will torture them in of
you the defendant please stand the jury
took just one hour to decide Leon
Jacob's
sentence life in prison on each
count solicitation of capital murder for
Megan
veros and MC
McDaniel victim imp statement
please in Texas the victim impact
statements come after the sentence Megan
takes the stand one last time you will
never see your children grow up you will
not be a part of their lives and they
will be F better for it you destroyed me
financially and took away my sense of
security but you can do that no more
while you sit in jail I hope you think
of me the girl that you called poor and
uneducated because it's because of me
you will be in prison for
[Music]
life Leon Jacob will be eligible for
parole in the year
2047 he will be 69 years
old
I intended to kill
him was he brainwashed by a psychiatrist
Dr bookfinder claims that she had no
involvement at all in this then why was
she just arrested why did you buy that
Sledgehammer a Hollywood producer and
writer of graphic novels his girlfriend
brutally murdered this was a prolonged
and brutal crime Blake was concerned
that his brother's gambling had placed
his family in danger was it revenge or
was his graphic novel a script for
murder it's just more like a horror
movie CBS News original
[Music]
reporting
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