Updated Nov 18, 2009 - 1:42 pm
Bail reduced in murder plot case as alleged target speaks out
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KIRO Radio
A King County Judge on Wednesday reduced bail for a local surgeon accused in a murder for hire plot.
Prosecutors had asked to raise bail from $3-million to $5-million for Dr. Michael Mockovak, a King County laser eye surgeon accused of trying to have two of his colleagues killed. But the judge decided to lower the bail to $2-million.
One of Dr. Mockovak's alleged targets, Clearly Lasik co- founder Dr. Joseph King, said in court that, "My family and I are absolutely terrified that Dr. Mockovak may be released on bail," saying that he feared Mockovak would attempt to "finish the job" if released.
Dr. Mockovak pleaded not guilty to two counts of solicitation to commit murder in the first degree.
Mockovak was charged on Monday after an FBI investigation led authorities to believe that Dr. Mockovak meant to hire someone to kill two of his business associates including Dr. King.
The first victim of Mockovak's alleged plans was a former associate fired in 2007. After his firing, the former associate filed a wrongful termination suit against Mockovak, the business Mockovak owns, Clearly Lasik, and his Clearly Lasik co-founder Dr. Joseph King.
Charging documents say that Mockovak allegedly approached the FBI source multiple times asking for a contact that might "take care" of his work colleague.
The list of potential hits grew as documents say that Mockovak also expressed interest in killing his business partner Dr. King.
The hit on King was reportedly to be carried out in Australia, where King was heading for a week's stay on November 7th.
The man that provided information about the alleged plan told the FBI that the killing was to be staged as a carjacking "gone bad."
According to charging documents Mockovak had handed over $10,000 up front to carry out the kill, with an additional $15,000 promised upon completion. Mockovak had also offered the man arranging the killing $100,000 from the $5 million expected from the cashing in of King's life insurance policy.
Mockovak was arrested near his home in Newcastle on November 12th.
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