Man Allegedly Paid $500 to Kill Ex-Wife, New Husband

ARANSAS PASS, Texas - A South Texas businessman is accused of paying $500 in a failed plot to have someone kill his ex-wife and her husband.

Randall Lee Freeze is free on $100,000 bond on a charge of solicitation to commit capital murder.

Freeze, who chairs the Aransas Pass Planning and Zoning Commission, was released Tuesday night from the San Patricio County Jail. An attorney for Freeze has declined comment.

The Corpus Christi Caller-Times reported Tuesday that Freeze and his ex-wife have two children and they've had custody and financial issues.

An affidavit says Freeze made the down payment June 16, to a man who did odd jobs for the targeted couple, to have them drowned while sailing.

Capt. Roberto Gonzales told The Associated Press that the intent was serious because money was exchanged.