(January 27, 2008)--Jury selection is set to begin Monday in the trial of a North Texas man accused of offering a would-be hit man $2,500 to kill his pregnant wife.
Albert Jackson Sterling II is charged with solicitation of capital murder.
The 39-year-old faces two life sentences--one for his wife and one for his unborn son -- if he is found guilty.
Authorities say that in November 2006, Sterling had both a girlfriend and a pregnant wife.
So, police say, he decided to hire someone to kill his wife.
But the would-be hit man told police he had a change of heart and decided to warn Roxane Johnson-Sterling.
Jeffrey Thompson said he told her that he wouldn't hurt her and to call police.
Thompson, who was not charged in the case, is expected to testify as a witness for the prosecution.
Sterling hasn't talked publicly about the accusations.
But, through his parents and attorney, he's denied any attempts to have his wife or unborn child killed.