Ex-Firefighter Accused of Hiring Hit Man to Kill Wife

Clinton Jones allegedly told undercover cop to "finish her off" so he wouldn't have to visit her in hospital

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A former firefighter was denied bail Wednesday after he allegedly tried to pay an undercover cop $8,000 to kill his wife. 

Clinton Jones, 41, was arrested Tuesday on charges of solicitation to commit murder after he allegedly tried to hire the undercover cop to kill his wife on New Year’s Eve, ABC News reports. Police say Jones, of West Ashley, S.C., was worried his wife would leave him and take their four children.

A witness had contacted police on Monday, saying that Jones had asked him where he could find a hit man to do the deed.

The former firefighter allegedly gave the “hit man” a photo of his wife Michelle and her work address, and told him to “finish her off” so that he wouldn’t have to visit her in the hospital. He said he would pay the killer with insurance money, according to the affidavit.

Michelle Jones asked the judge not to release her husband on bail at the bond hearing Wednesday, and said she feared for her safety. “He has no remorse, and he needs to stay behind bars. I beg of you not to let him out,” she said. “I’m afraid for my life.”

Jones made his statement via jailhouse video. “I don’t know why I even talked about such a thing,” he said. “It’s not me. I’ve never hurt anybody in my life. I’ve done nothing but help people.” He did not enter a plea at the hearing.

Relatives say Jones has been different ever since he survived a 2007 fire at a sofa store that killed 9 of his fellow firefighters, according to ABC News. He is now on disability.

[ABC News]