Murder-for-hire suspect freed on bond

LOVINGTON, N.M. (KRQE) - A New Mexico man charged in a murder-for-hire plot targeting his ex-girlfriend is out of jail, but she's not the only one who needs to be worried.

Authorities said his soon-to-be ex-wife is scared, too. She said he's also threatened to kill her.    

Justin Davis was arrested days after Christmas for allegedly hiring someone to kill his ex-girlfriend, Sarah McLaurin, in Lovington.

Before that arrest, Davis, 29, was in court charged with aggravated stalking and violating a restraining order his estranged wife, Cherie Davis, filed against him in October.

Court records show it's Cherie Davis that came forward to police claiming Davis was plotting to kill McLaurin.

In a recorded conversation, Davis is allegedly heard saying, "She said I want her (McLaurin) out of our lives ... so I said alright, I'll find somebody to kill her."

According to police, he's then heard saying, "I gave a guy 500 bucks, and he never went through with it.  He was just supposed to shoot up the house."

The criminal complaint alleges Davis hired someone in 2007 or 2008. His estranged wife claims she was there when Davis gave a hit man cash and a rifle.
     
According to the complaint, in November, Cherie Davis gave police a recording of her husband threatening to kill her during an exchange of court ordered visits with their daughter. She also told police she was very afraid of Davis.

Now police say he's not allowed near her unless police are present.

Court records show Davis was being held on a $1 million cash-only bond for conspiracy and soliciting murder charges. A judge later lowered his bond to $125,000 cash or surety, which Davis posted.  

Lovington police are still investigating who Davis may have hired to kill his ex. Davis is scheduled to be in court again later this month.