Double ‘murder-for-hire plot’ unravels when mastermind is caught, Mississippi cops say

A “disturbing murder-for-hire plot” came to an abrupt halt in rural Mississippi when deputies caught the man accused of organizing the scheme trying to skip town, investigators say.

Randall Hutchinson was arrested Sunday, June 23, before the plot was carried out, according to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office.

Identities of the two intended victims have not been released.

“The investigation revealed that Hutchinson had approached an individual with an offer to commit murder on his behalf. Hutchinson had allegedly contracted the individual to carry out the killings of two Smith County residents in exchange for a payment totaling $12,000,” the sheriff’s office reported in a July 3 news release.

“Furthermore, Hutchinson provided the individual with a firearm, gloves, and ammunition intended for use in the crimes.”

The suspect was arrested “without incident” as he was leaving the Raleigh area of Smith County, about a 50-mile drive southeast from Jackson. Raleigh has a population of about 1,000 people.

Hutchinson faces “two felony charges related to an attempt to commit an offense of murder,” the sheriff’s office said. His bond was set at $100,000.

“We were able to intervene and prevent a potentially tragic outcome,” Smith County Sheriff Joel Houston said in the release.

“The recovery of the weapon, gloves, and ammunition Hutchinson had supplied, along with additional evidence gathered during the investigation, stressed the severity of the threat posed by Hutchinson’s intentions.”

Details of the “dangerous plan” were not revealed, including when it was to happen.

Tips from the community led to Hutchinson’s arrest, officials said.

Deputies are continuing to investigate.

This story was originally published July 4, 2024 at 9:20 AM with the headline "Double ‘murder-for-hire plot’ unravels when mastermind is caught, Mississippi cops say."