Murder-for-hire case brings federal charges

A federal grand jury indicted a Lawrence woman Wednesday for allegedly asking an undercover officer to kill a man in exchange for drugs.

“Our indictment charges that (Krista) Harris said during phone conversations on Dec. 1 and Dec. 2, 2005, that she would pay 3.1 grams of cocaine to have a person killed,” U.S. Atty. Eric Melgren said.

Harris, 19, was arrested in early December and has since been held at the Douglas County Jail.

Douglas County Dist. Atty. Charles Branson had previously charged Harris with three crimes, including soliciting a murder and drug charges.

According to the indictment and Branson, Harris allegedly asked an undercover Lawrence Police officer to kill a man whom Branson previously described as “some kind of acquaintance.”

Douglas County prosecutors identified the target as Malcolm K. Glover.

If convicted, Harris faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and $1.25 million in fines for both of the grand jury’s charges.

Harris was originally arrested on Dec. 2 in the 1000 block of West 23rd Street after a joint undercover sting operation by the police department and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Police had previously notified the federal agency of Harris’ alleged intent to kill the man.

According to the indictment, Harris allegedly used a telephone to ask that the man be killed, and may have asked another person to place a call for her.

The trial will be in Topeka, but no date has been set.