By Tim McGlone

The Virginian-Pilot

NORFOLK

A Portsmouth man faces up to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty in federal court Thursday to murder for hire in a plot to kill his friends wife.

Joseph E. Frampton, 39, of the 4600 block of Columbia St., said that he drove to Texas with the intent to kill the wife of his friend Larry E. Lingenfelter.

Frampton tried three times to carry out the plot before he was arrested after breaking into the womans home in Harker Heights, Texas, in June, according to a statement of facts he signed. The first attempt occurred in March while the woman, who was not identified, was living in Suffolk. Frampton said in court papers there were too many people around.

Frampton then drove to Texas in April after the woman moved there but again abandoned the plot because there were too many witnesses. In June, he tried again, this time breaking into the womans home wearing latex gloves, according to the statement . The woman was able to call police before being harmed.

Lingenfelter paid Frampton $2,000 of $10,000 he promised had the plot been carried out, according to the court records. Lingenfelter, the records say, was upset that he lost custody of the couples triplets and that he had to pay $1,400 a month in child support.

Lingenfelter remains charged with murder for hire. He is free on $10,000 bond. His trial is scheduled for Jan. 4. Frampton, who is in jail without bond, is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 9.

Tim McGlone, (757) 446-2343, tim.mcglone@pilotonline.com