NC police: wife sought hit man, found retired cop

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina police say a woman who used the Internet to search for a paid killer instead latched on to a retired police officer, who reported her to authorities.

Multiple media outlets reported Friday that 45-year-old Kimberly Lumpkin has been charged with solicitation to commit first-degree murder.

Mooresville police say Lumpkin met a man on the Internet several months ago, then asked him in e-mails and at least one telephone call if he would be willing to kill her husband.

Police say the man was a retired police officer in Oregon who reported Lumpkin’s wishes.

Lumpkin was in the Iredell County jail Friday under $75,000 bond. An attorney listed as representing the pet store owner did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)