Woman pleads guilty in soliciting murder

Wednesday, June 8, 2005 | 9:07 a.m.

The 39-year-old ex-wife of a Henderson Police sergeant has pleaded guilty to one count of solicitation to commit murder for trying to hire a hitman to kill him.

As part of the negotiations, Florela McCorkle, also known as Florela Virginia, will no longer face charges of second-degree murder with use of a deadly weapon on a police officer -- Sgt. Richard McCorkle is her ex-husband.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Ed Kane has agreed not to make any recommendations at her July 26 sentencing before District Judge Jackie Glass, at which time the judge could sentence McCorkle to two to 15 years in prison or probation.

Kane said in regard to the agreement, "We're always pleased to get a negotiation, and we'll now just wait and see what the judge decides at sentencing."

Although Kane will not argue for a specific sentence, Richard McCorkle has indicated he will speak at his ex-wife's sentencing.

Florela McCorkle's attorney, Steve Stein, said "If he (Richard McCorkle) shows up with less than 10 members of the Henderson Police Department, I'll be amazed." Her co-counsel, Luis Rojas, said the plea agreement benefits all those affected by Florela McCorkle's actions.

"This is an unfortunate incident for the family, and we're all glad it has come to a head," Rojas said. "The one positive thing to come out of this is they will have to come together to raise a beautiful child." Rojas said Florela McCorkle has become "the poster child for a person who the system has failed" and solicited her ex-husband's murder "as she felt she was left with no other alternative in her mind" regarding her custody rights to a daughter the couple had together.

Rojas said Richard McCorkle has filed a petition to terminate Florela McCorkle's parental rights. The next hearing in that case is scheduled for Aug. 11 before Family Court Judge Nicholas Del Vecchio.

Investigators say she hired an undercover detective posing as a hitman. Metro Police arrested McCorkle on June 15 after the detective was paid $1,000 during a second meeting. She is alleged to have given specific orders that Richard McCorkle be shot while in uniform and then mutilated, according to the arrest report.