Attorney for murder-for-hire suspect files motion to withdraw from case
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The attorney for the man accused of hiring a hitman to kill his ex-girlfriend has filed a motion to withdraw from the case.
Defense attorney George Parnham submitted paperwork Thursday to have himself removed from the case to defend Leon Jacob.
Jacob and Valerie McDaniel were facing charges for allegedly hiring an undercover police officer to kill both of their exes.
Parnham was at Jacob's side Wednesday when a judge denied bond.
SEE ALSO: Bond denied, history revealed for murder-for-hire suspect
ABC13 asked Parnham why he wanted to withdraw, but he did not explain.
McDaniel was scheduled to be in court Tuesday, but she was found dead Monday after she apparently jumped off the 7th floor of a condo.
McDaniel ended her life and that will bring her case to a close once a death certificate is given to the court, which leaves Jacob to stand for trial for his alleged role in hiring a hitman.
According to charging records, the pair met the undercover officer -- posing as a hit man -- at an Olive Garden where they discussed plans for the killings and for further payments. McDaniel's ex-husband was allegedly supposed to be killed in a shooting that would be staged to look like a carjacking, according to Tom Berg, Harris County assistant district attorney.
Jacob is said to have loved McDaniel. His attorney asked the judge if he could be released from jail to attend McDaniel's funeral, but the judge refused.
SEE ALSO: Murder-for-hire suspect pens note before deadly leap off River Oaks high-rise
Houston police found notes inside McDaniel's River Oaks-area condo that detailed instructions concerning her final wishes, including sealed letters addressed to family members.
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