EXCLUSIVE: Murder-for-hire suspect talks to ABC13 from behind bars

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- It's an alleged murder-for-hire plot with plenty of twists and turns, and now ABC13 reporter Kaitlin McCulley talked with the man at the center of it all, as he remains behind bars.

Leon Jacob is accused of hiring an undercover police officer to kill his ex-girlfriend. Valerie McDaniel was charged in the case as well before she committed suicide by jumping from high-rise condo. McDaniel's ex-husband was also targeted in the alleged plot.

In another twist, Jacob's attorney filed to be removed from the case. And now, for the first time, Jacob is speaking out.

Inside the Harris County jail, a mild-mannered Leon Jacob spoke exclusively with Eyewitness News, denying the murder-for-hire charge against him.

He said he is doing as well as can be expected.

"I maintain my innocence," Jacob said, "You can tell the world that if you want to."

Jacob's former attorney, George Parnham, withdrew from the case last week. Jacob told Eyewitness News that Parnham is now his attorney once again. His current attorney, Paul Morgan, also said Parnham would be taking over. Neither Morgan nor Parnham chose to elaborate on the reasoning behind the change.

Jacob's next court date is April 12th.

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