Released from prison, South Florida man hires ‘hitman’ to murder ex-wife: BSO
A Boynton Beach man fresh from serving a 10-month prison sentence found himself back in handcuffs Thursday after authorities said he planned to hire a hitman to murder his ex-wife.
On Feb. 25, Michael Pine, 55, was released from the South Florida Reception Center in Doral after being convicted in April on charges of aggravated stalking and written threats, the Broward Sheriff’s Office said. While he was serving his sentence, authorities said Pine “expressed an interest” in hiring a hitman to murder his ex-wife, whom he blamed for sending him to prison.
When he was released, a BSO undercover operation commenced, beginning with conversations between Pine and an undercover detective. Pine offered to pay $10,000 to kill his ex-wife, the sheriff’s office said.
On Wednesday, Pine paid the detective $2,000 as a down payment for the murder. The next day, the detective told Pine he committed the murder, and Pine promised to pay the remaining $8,000.
Shortly after, sheriff’s office deputies arrested Pine on charges of attempted premeditated murder and criminal attempt to solicit a capital felony. Authorities said Pine “admitted to the crime” after he was arrested. As of Friday, he still remains in the Broward County Main Jail.
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