A local attorney called an alleged plot to murder District Attorney Doug Valeska nothing more than jailhouse talk between inmates being held at the Houston County Jail.
Attorney Bill Kominos said inmates at correctional facilities don’t talk sports or girls, they normally talk about and plan out their next crime or “fairy tale caper.”
Kominos represents Jimmy Earl Hall, 62, who faces two felony solicitation to commit murder charges, which include plots to kill Valeska and Hall’s stepmother.
“This is just jailhouse bragging,” Kominos said. “This happens all the time.”
Valeska has attempted to have Hall’s probation revoked on a prior felony unlawful possession of a controlled substance charge based on the murder solicitation charges filed against him while he was on probation.
Houston County Sheriff’s deputies said at an earlier court hearing that they have a tape recording of Hall attempting to hire another inmate to help murder Hall’s stepmother and Valeska. Hall told the inmate he’d pay him from a settlement he’d receive after his stepmother was dead. Hall told the inmate he’d kill Valeska himself. Hall told the inmate he’d planned to wait in woods outside Valeska’s home and shoot him with a rifle after he’d arrived home from work.
Hall was given probation last year for a felony unlawful possession of
a controlled substance charge. Authorities arrested him in 2006. Records show he was sentenced to serve 15 years in prison, which was suspended for five years of probation.
Kominos asked the court to delay ruling on the probation revocation to give him an opportunity to listen to the tape recording of his client talking with the other inmate, and for him to provide more witness testimony for the court.
Valeska called the request for a continuance a delay tactic by the defense.
“I don’t want to continue it. I’m getting sued by Jimmy Earl Hall,” Valeska said. “He’s alleging we’re violating his constitutional rights.”
Circuit Court Judge Brad Mendheim said he would take the probation revocation ruling under advisement, and may possibly continue the case until next month.
Hall remains held in the Houston County Jail on a $4 million bond.
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