Oklahoma Man Accused of Hiring Hitman Over Bat-Infested Home Lawsuit

Allegations of Murder-for-Hire Plot

• 🎯 An Oklahoma businessman, Keith Cathey, is accused of attempting to hire a hitman to kill a couple who successfully sued him.
• 💰 Cathey allegedly offered a plumber $100,000 to murder the couple, Cheryl and Mike Fritz, who had won a $1 million judgment against him.
• 🎙️ The alleged murder-for-hire plot was reportedly recorded on the plumber's company-issued phone, which requires all work conversations to be recorded.

The Homebuyers' Lawsuit

• 🏠 In 2015, the Fritz family purchased a home in Tulsa, Oklahoma, from Keith Cathey for $445,000, believing it to be their dream home.
• 🦇 Shortly after moving in, the Fritz family discovered significant issues, including water leaks, dead bugs (later identified as bat bugs), and extensive bat droppings, indicating a severe bat infestation.
• ⚖️ The Fritz family sued Cathey in 2016, alleging he failed to disclose serious defects in the home, leading to a jury awarding them over $1 million after legal fees.

Cathey's Arrest and Defense

• 🚨 Police arrested Cathey on charges of first-degree solicitation of murder after the plumber reported the alleged offer.
• 🗣️ Cathey reportedly told the plumber he wanted the Fritz family dead and even offered to provide transportation to the location for the execution.
• 🤷‍♂️ Cathey's defense may argue that his statements were merely venting frustration over the lawsuit loss and not a genuine intent to commit murder, especially after he allegedly declined further assistance when contacted by an officer posing as a potential hitman contact.

Legal Analysis of the Case

• ⚖️ A former prosecutor suggests the state has a strong case based on the recorded conversation, emphasizing Cathey's explicit statements and offers.
• 🧐 A defense attorney would likely focus on the lack of further action taken by Cathey and argue that his words were not a serious solicitation, highlighting the absence of concrete steps towards carrying out the alleged murder.
• 📈 The potential punishment for solicitation of murder for hire in Pennsylvania, for example, could range from 20 to 40 years in prison, indicating the severity of the charge.