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2 convicted in murder-for-hire plot

Posted November 03, 2011 12:00 am

Associated Press

WAUKESHA, Wis. — Two men have been convicted of hiring a hit man to kill a Waukesha County woman.

Jurors deliberated about three hours before returning the verdict for Darren Wold and Jack Johnson Wednesday evening. Both were accused of hiring Justin Welch to kill 39-year-old Kimberly Smith in her Oconomowoc (oh-KAHN'--ah-mah-walk) home in 2009. Prosecutors say Welch's confession, guilty plea and testimony was key to the convictions. Authorities say Wold and Smith were involved in a bitter custody dispute over their son.

The victim's friend, Susie Wolff, tells WISN-TV (http://bit.ly/uaelpn ) the verdict is a joyless victory, especially for Smith's son. All three men will be sentenced in December.

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Information from: WISN-TV, http://www.wisn.com

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