Prosecutors give details of murder-for-hire plot

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. -- St. Louis Blues player Mike Danton plotted to kill his agent for at least six months and tried at least three times to hire a hit man, federal prosecutors said Friday.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Massey outlined new details of the government's case against Danton during a detention hearing before federal Magistrate Clifford Proud, and confirmed for the first time that agent David Frost was Danton's intended victim.

"We believe we'll clearly show that the defendant is a danger to the community, that he is a flight risk, and that the evidence is strong," Massey said.

Frost, in a telephone interview, continued to deny that he was the person Danton wanted killed.

"If the government wants to hang their hat there, that's up to them," Frost said. "I am absolutely positive I was not the target."

Danton's attorney, Bob Haar, asked Proud to assign Danton to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation and treatment of an injured shoulder. Massey, however, told Proud that Danton is a danger to the community and a flight risk.

Proud, noting the ease in which a Canadian citizen such as Danton could cross the border, ordered Danton to remain at the Clinton County, Ill., jail. His trial is scheduled to begin July 20. Haar said he will continue to push for bond.

"I think the fact that he was a Canadian citizen persuaded the judge in his decision," Haar said after the hearing.

Danton, wearing an orange jail-issued jumpsuit, showed little emotion during the hearing, though he shook his head "no" a few times as Massey spoke.

The federal complaint alleged that Danton and his alleged accomplice, 19-year-old Katie Wolfmeyer of the St. Louis suburb Florissant, conspired to arrange a hit April 14 at Danton's apartment in Brentwood, Mo. The complaint alleges that Wolfmeyer, at Danton's urging, contacted a man they thought would kill Frost; instead, the man went to Columbia, Ill., police, who informed the FBI.

Danton was arrested April 16 in San Jose, Calif., a day after the San Jose Sharks knocked the Blues out of the NHL playoffs. Wolfmeyer like Danton, faces charges of plotting a murder for hire. She is free on $100,000 bond pending a trial on July 13.

Massey's statement before the magistrate marked the first time the government alleged Danton had earlier considered killing Frost. Six months earlier, Danton had tried to contact at least two others about a possible hit, Massey said.

"There may be several others," Massey said. After the hearing, he refused to elaborate.

Massey said that after authorities became aware of the April plot, Frost called Danton at the request of police, and the conversation was taped.

"The defendant indicated he was at least thinking of leaving the country," Massey said. He said Danton snuck out a back door of the San Jose hotel when he learned the FBI was there to arrest him, and went to the San Jose airport.

But Haar said Danton went to the airport to travel back to St. Louis and turn himself in.

Haar said the "gut-wrenching, emotional" 40-minute taped conversation with Frost was evidence of how much Danton needs psychiatric help.

"You can hear that voice say he's sick in the head, that he can't do it anymore, that he can't go on anymore, and he's thinking about ending his life," Haar said.

The FBI's criminal complaint said Danton was concerned that his intended target, now identified as Frost, planned to go to the Blues with information that could damage his career. Frost has said he urged Danton to get help for his use of painkillers and sleeping pills and his erratic behavior.

Danton's mother, brother and aunt sat in the front row of the federal courthouse directly behind him, although he did not acknowledge them. A native of Brampton, Ontario, Danton has been estranged from his family for several years. He grew up Mike Jefferson, but legally changed his name two years ago.

Danton moved in with Frost, then a youth hockey coach in Canada, when Danton was 15.

Danton's mother, Sue Jefferson, was asked as she left the courthouse if she was disappointed by Proud's ruling.

"Slightly," she said. "Hopefully he gets the help he needs."

Danton's younger brother, Tom, said, "It's not disappointing. I just hope that everything works out for him."

Four of Danton's teammates -- Keith Tkachuk, Barret Jackman, Ryan Johnson, and Bryce Salvador -- also attended. They declined comment.

Proud said that if convicted, Danton would face 10 to 12 1/2 years in prison. Parole is not available in federal cases.