Key witnesses took the stand during the second day of a murder-for-hire trial that has gained national attention.
Leon Jacob, a former doctor, was accused of hiring a hit man to kill his ex-girlfriend, Meghan Verikas, last year.
During opening arguments, prosecutors revealed they have audio recordings of 12 phone calls and two in-person meetings between Jacob and a so-called hit man.
They say the recordings prove Jacob is guilty of two counts of solicitation of capital murder.
However, defense attorneys argue the evidence tells a different story.
“It’s going to be revealed throughout the course of this trial that Leon repeatedly said I want nothing to happen to Meghan. I want no harm. I just want her to get out of town,” said attorney Matt Pospisil.
Prosecutors say Jacob’s life was spiraling out of control in January of 2017, because his girlfriend broke up with him. He was also charged with assaulting and stalking her.
Investigators claim he sought out a hit man, because he didn’t want his ex to testify against him.\
The man he contacted was Moataz Azzeh, who goes by Zach.
“He wants me to actually kidnap her basically to convince her to drop it. If it doesn’t work, he actually wanted me to make her disappear,” Zach testified Tuesday.
The state presented evidence that Jacob paid thousands of dollars and two Cartier watches for the job to be done.
Zach later teamed up with investigators to connect Jacob with another hit man, who was actually an undercover officer.
The defense, on the other hand, painted Zach as a con man.
“Zach saw the opportunity to make his own fortune and jumped on it. He conned Leon Jacob,” said Pospisil.
Another key witness to take the stand Tuesday was Houston City Councilman Michael Kubosh.
He reportedly notified police about the alleged plan after an encounter at his office.
The city councilman is also a bail bondsman who bailed Jacob out of jail for his stalking charge.
“To be honest with you, I felt like I was talking to the devil himself when he was talking to me,” Kubosh said. “He said she can’t testify against me. I want her taken back to Pittsburgh.”
The defense argues Jacob never said he wanted his ex-girlfriend harmed.
“He believes that because he didn’t use certain words he’s not responsible, but he says just get it done and you’ll get your payment,” said prosecutor Cameron Calligan during his opening argument.
Jacob was arrested along with his girlfriend, veterinarian Valerie McDaniel, who allegedly wanted her ex-husband killed.
McDaniel committed suicide after the arrests.