Former Food Network chef sentenced to nine years in prison for soliciting wife's murder

Former Food Network chef sentenced to nine years in prison for soliciting wife's murder

2010-12-14 12:28:06 GMT+7 (ICT)

LOS ANGELES (BNO NEWS) -- Juan Carlos Cruz, former Food Network chef, was sentenced to nine years in prison on Monday for soliciting two homeless men to kill his wife in May.

Cruz pleaded no contest last month in Los Angeles Superior Court where the 48-year-old is accused of soliciting two homeless men identified as "Little Dave" and "Sean" and offered them $1,000 to cut his wife's throat.

Under the plea, Cruz agreed to a nine-year sentence and pleaded guilty to attempted solicitation of murder. In exchange, prosecutors dropped one count of attempted murder against Jennifer Campbell.

The homeless men contacted a third homeless man, identified as "Big Dave", for advice and the three met somewhere in Santa Monica to discuss the plan. Cruz, the former host of the Calorie Commando show, showed them the picture of the target, his wife, and half of the money.

However, the three men told police about the plan when "Big Dave" was arrested on a loitering charge. He was wired and arranged a second meeting with Cruz to tell him that they did not want to perform the murder in public.

During the wire-taped meeting, Cruz gave the men another option and provided the access code for his apartment. He intended that one of the homeless men would enter the apartment and strangle the woman as she walked in.

The couple appeared to be living a peaceful life and the motive for the murder solicitation remains unknown. Cruz was known as a devote religious man, community volunteer and a good husband. Campbell is an attorney who was often seen walking the couple's dogs outside their condominium in Westside.

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