Jeffrey Stern: Bellaire Attorney Indicted in Failed Murder-for-Hire Plot Against Wife

By John Nova Lomax Mon., Jan. 31 2011 at 6:20 PM

Categories: Crime

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Jeffrey Stern, accused in murder-for-hire plot

Over six months after the arrest of his mistress Michelle Gaiser, prominent Bellaire attorney Jeffrey Stern has been indicted on two counts of solicitation of capital murder in the attempts to take the life of his wife, Yvonne Stern.

Harris County prosecutors have requested bond of $500,000 on each of the two counts. If convicted, Stern would face five to 99 years in prison on each of the two counts.

Gaiser, 38, is facing one count of the same charge and remains behind bars, also with bail set at a half-million dollars. Barring a reset, her next trial date is in May.

The fifth arrest seems likely to be the last in a case that would almost be comical were it not for the fact that Yvonne Stern was seriously injured in one of the three attacks perpetrated upon her by waves of bumbling hit men.

In February of last year, a gunman opened fire on her home and failed to hit her. Two months later, a gunman knocked on the door and then fired through a window as she approached. Again she was unharmed. Three weeks later, she was shot in the stomach as she got in her car. She survived, and has filed for divorce, citing adultery. (Stern has confessed to an affair with Gaiser, his former employee, but has long denied involvement in the plots to kill Yvonne Stern.)

Accused co-conspirators Nhut Nguyen, James Lowery and Richard Gutierrez were arrested months ago.

Nguyen is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail and is charged with aggravated assault in connection with the doorway shooting.

Lowery, a 27-year-old former Montrose tattoo artist, is also still behind bars, charged with solicitation of capital murder.

For his part, Gutierrez is already serving 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to the same charge in November.

For Jeffrey Stern, this latest development is simply the latest and most serious in a career full of drama. If prosecutors have their way, it will also be his last.

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