Louisville, Kentucky – A Kentucky pediatrician, Dr. Stephanie Russell, faces charges for allegedly attempting to have her ex-husband killed in a murder-for-hire plot. Russell’s case took a bizarre turn when it was revealed that she had considered using supernatural means to eliminate him before resorting to hiring a hitman.
In 2022, Russell was charged with using interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire. Authorities uncovered her plan after she contacted an individual she believed to be a hitman, who turned out to be an undercover FBI agent, to carry out the deed.
As her trial approaches, new documents filed by Russell’s defense shed light on her disturbing actions. The defense released text messages between Russell and self-proclaimed spiritualists who claimed expertise in “death spells.” These messages were presented as evidence of Russell’s compromised mental health at the time.
The messages revealed inquiries about the success rates, pricing, and guarantees for death spells. Russell engaged with individuals claiming to have an 85% success rate in executing death spells and offered a money-back guarantee if the desired outcome was not achieved.
Despite initial reservations about payment terms and methods, Russell continued exploring various options to ensure her ex-husband’s demise. She expressed a strong desire for him to die, even considering staging his death as a suicide to absolve herself of guilt.
According to Law&Crime, Russell’s defense team intends to argue that she believed her ex-husband posed a threat to their children, and her mental state was compromised, making her incapable of being convicted for the murder-for-hire plot.
Russell, who has pleaded not guilty, is expected to face a maximal sentence of 10 years in federal prison without the possibility of parole if convicted. Her trial is scheduled to commence on April 22, where her defense will likely focus on her mental state and capacity during the events in question.