Special Report: 'Til Death Do Us Part

It is a deal for death.

Caught on camera, with a fist full of $20’s and a hand shake, Harold Stonier wanted his wife dead, but he wanted mobsters to do the dirty work. What Stonier does not know is that the man in the driver’s seat and the woman in the back are federal agents.

Surveillance tape
"The only way to end this is to terminate her."

Jamie Stonier, Target of murder plot
"I found out through ATF agents who came to my home right after they had taken him in and it was a shock I had to pick myself up off the floor."

Harold's wife Jamie still watches the tape in disbelief, a year and a half after her husband’s arrest. For prosecutors - it is the most telling piece of evidence.

Jamie Stonier, Target of murder plot
"Deep down inside he was a very troubled man."

Jamie does not want to show her face but she's sharing her story in hopes of being a voice for women facing domestic violence.

Jamie Stonier, Target of murder plot
"It's just unbelievable that he would even plot that, that he would even think that the answers to his problems would be to do away with me."

While her life was no longer in danger, that night was the beginning of her fight to survive.

Jamie Stonier, Target of murder plot
"We had to deal with financial debt that was just beyond belief."

Thousands of dollars of unpaid bills, military red tape, the move from this comfortable suburban home to public housing and the emotional challenge of explaining to her young sons where dad was...nearly put Jamie over the edge.

Jamie Stonier, Target of murder plot
"We met at our 20 year reunion and when I first saw him he looked like the picture of success."

Just three years into their marriage things went wrong. Jamie wanted a divorce, but Harold had other plans. Jamie says rather than paying alimony and child support, Harold thought it would be easier to arrange a hit.

Surveillance tape
"If she was strangled and you moved the body to the car immediately you could clean up."

In court, prosecutors say the ex-marine orchestrated the blue print for murder. They claim he wanted his wife killed in their concord home. He wanted the body brought to this Lexington motel. The hope: police would think Jamie was having an affair.

Surveillance tape
"Later that night you come back spread gasoline around there ignite it and you’re out of there."

Jamie Stonier, Target of murder plot
"It's just amazing that we've come through the way we have, that my children have self-esteem, they have love in their hearts."

Now, Jamie regularly attends bible study and she has forgiven Harold.

Jamie Stonier, Target of murder plot
"You need to forgive in your heart so you are not a victim twice."

No trial date has been set for Harold Stonier. He has had three public defenders and has fired all of them. Stonier is now representing himself and faces ten years behind bars. Jamie admits she is concerned about what he will do after his time is served.

For more information, please contact the Domestic Violence Victim Assistance Program:
dvvap@concordnet.org
1-888-991-4639