A husband allegedly targeted by his wife in a murder-for-hire scheme was accused of domestic violence by a previous wife, court records show.
Kevin Gates, of Westminster, physically threatened, harassed and stalked his ex-wife, Donna, and denied her the chance to see her children, she wrote in a May 2004 restraining order.
His current wife, Mary Gates, tried to hire a hit man to kill him three times over the past year, police said.
Mary at times lived with the Gates family before Kevin and Donna separated. Kevin accused Donna of cheating on him, and Mary testified that she witnessed her kissing and touching another man, according to divorce filings.
Mary moved in with Kevin for good just three months after the divorce was filed and was to take care of his two children, Russell and Deanna, divorce records show.
But Donna feared for her children?s safety with Mary and Kevin around.
In a restraining order filed against Mary in December 2003, Donna claimed Mary “threatened on numerous occasion to hurt the pets and bodies of my children with steel curtains” and forced the 8- and 14-year-old to deliver drugs for her.
But Mary shot back about two weeks later, filing a peace order of her own, claiming Donna threatened to kill her if she testified against her in the divorce.
The court sided with Mary and Kevin and said he was “lucky to have Mary” to take care of his children.
It added that Donna “criticized Mary for many things, but the court … sees her as a good influence on the children.”
Mary was arrested earlier this month after police say she offered a state trooperposing as a hit man $6,000 to murder Kevin. According to charging documents, she said: “I have to get away from Kevin and the kids. I want him dead. You have to help me.”
Mary?s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 2 in Carroll County District Court.
