Ill. sheriff's wife posts bond on murder plot charge

MURPHYSBORO, Ill. -- A southern Illinois sheriff's wife accused with her husband and stepson in a failed murder-for-hire plot is free on bond.

Kristina Martin's family posted her bail Wednesday after a Jackson County judge cut her bond in half to $500,000. That ruling came a day after Martin's attorney argued the original bond amount was excessive for the mother of three.

Martin on Tuesday pleaded not guilty. The charges accuse her of taking part in a plot with her husband, Gallatin County Sheriff Raymond Martin, and stepson to have two witnesses in a federal drug case against the sheriff killed.

The supposed plot failed when one of the would-be hitmen backed out and told authorities.

Raymond Martin has pleaded not guilty to charges that accuse him of trafficking marijuana while on duty.