Animal rights lawyer, 43, is charged in murder-for-hire plot after she 'tried to have the girlfriend of her estranged husband who worked as the family au pair killed'
An animal rights attorney from Colorado is alleged to have attempted to hire a hitman to kill her estranged husband's girlfriend, who had been the family's au pair.
Jennifer Emmi, 43, from Evergreen was arrested late last month on charges that include solicitation of murder, stalking and retaliating against a witness or victim.
Emmi had been locked in a divorce battle with her estranged husband when she allegedly attempted to have his girlfriend murdered.
She is alleged to have asked ranch hand, 28-year-old Timothy Lindsey, to help kill the woman in November.
Jennifer Emmi, 43, a well known Colorado animal rights attorney and media personality, has been charged with trying to hire a hit man to murder her husband's girlfriend
Jennifer Emmi, 43, who is also known as Jennifer Edwards, was arrested in late January and charged with solicitation of first-degree murder, two counts of retaliating against a witness or victim and three counts of stalking
The murder-for-hire arrest followed a six-month investigation by the sheriff's office that involved undercover meetings, blackmail and extortion attempts
Emmi was allegedly recorded in a series of telephone calls asking if Lindsey knew anyone who could 'get rid' of the woman.
She is said to have provided the girlfriend's name and workplace, the affidavit states.
Lindsey 'played along' telling Emmi it would cost her about $100,000.
The pair are also alleged to have discussed whether the killing should happen at his Evergreen ranch or somewhere else.
'Jennifer responded that the money would not be a problem,' Lindsey told investigators, according to CBS4 reported.
Emmi is alleged to have suggested that both the au pair and her husband could be killed because, 'if there was a car accident or something, no one would know,' according to the affidavit, then later said the plan was 'on hold.
The ranch hand said he believed the animal rights attorney was serious.
When investigators accessed Emmi's computer, they say she had searched for 'how to get rid of the other woman for good.'
Emmi is being held in the Jefferson County jail on a $3 million cash bond that she must post herself
The charges are in addition to 16 felonies and 16 misdemeanors that allege domestic violence, retaliation against witnesses and attempts to influence public servants over the last year
Attorney Colin Bresee, who has represented Emmi in the past, said Monday he hasn't seen any evidence in the case but that the allegations are based largely on Emmi's conversations
Emmi also allegedly weighed the possibility that she would have both her husband and his girlfriend killed.
'if there was a car accident or something, no one would know,' according to the Denver Post.
Lindsey then notified Emmie's estranged hubby along with the police.
The sheriff's office then began a six-month operation that included undercover meetings, blackmail and extortion attempts before finally Emmi was booked into the Jefferson County jail, where she's being held on $3 million bond.
Colin Bresee, Emmi's defense lawyer, said the police evidence suggests his client did not plan to go through with the plot.
'The allegations, at least the way the warrant reads, is she's understandably upset,' Bresee told news station KDVR.
Emmi set up the Animal Law Center in Colorado
Emmi, pictured, is alleged to have asked a man who worked at her Evergreen ranch to 'take care' of her husband's girlfriend
'She finds out that after sacrificing her body and had three beautiful kids that her husband literally traded her in for a much younger girl.
'It's not unusual for someone whose husband is having an affair with the au pair to be upset and mad,' Bresee said to the Denver Post. 'The line of saying how mad you are and how enraged you are and saying it to other people — it seems odd one of them was then a confidential informant who was working with police.'
The affidavit also alleges Emmi also researched witnesses, judges, prosecutors and investigators involved in her case, sometimes keeping handwritten notes with personal information on those people and their families.
She also researched whether law enforcement could track her phone and bought devices meant to block tracking.
Emmi was booked into the Jefferson County jail, where she's being held on $3 million bond
Emmi's estranged husband and his girlfriend have told investigators they live in constant fear due to domestic violence incidents with the family, including the three children, having to go into hiding.
Over the last year, Emmi has been charged with 16 felonies and 16 misdemeanors for alleged domestic violence, retaliation against witnesses and attempts to influence public servants. The charges are all still outstanding.
Emmi founded The Animal Law Center, established a nonprofit ranch in Evergreen to accentuate the bond between humans and animals, and has been regularly interviewed by local media outlets about various animal cases.
According to the affidavit Emmi has been diagnosed with a mental health disorder
Emmi and her estranged husband had been separated and were going through divorce proceedings
No comments