Lasik surgeon's murder-for-hire trial delayed
RENTON, Wash. -- The case of the Newcastle eye surgeon accused of trying to have two business partners killed has been delayed in court.
At the prosecutor's request, the judge on Wednesday pushed back proceedings in Michael Mockovak's case.
"We still have substantial discovery to do," said prosecutor Susan Storey. "The state still has a lot that I know exists that has not been collected."
Mockovak, who was released on $2 million bail, was present in court in a coat and tie instead of the jail jumpsuit he wore to his last court date.
The eye surgeon is accused of trying to arrange the murders of two men -- Dr. Joseph King, Mackovak's former brother-in-law with whom he co-founded Clearly Lasik in Renton, and Brad Klock, former company president.
When profits sank last year, the doctors at Clearly Lasik fired several employees, prompting Klock to file a complaint in court.
Mockovak responded by asking a Russian-born employee for mafia connections because he wanted Klock "eliminated," according to court documents. Prosecutors say he offered $125,000 to a hit man to kill the two men.
According to court documents, Mockovak wanted to kill King, who had taken out a $5 million insurance policy, and make his death look like an accident. He even suggested drowning as a method, the documents said. An employee told investigators Mockovak had been angry at King for allegedly wanting to split up the company.
Mockovak pleaded not guilty last month to two counts of first-degree solicitation to commit murder.
But FBI agents said they've recorded the conversations between Mockovak and the man he tried to hire for the crime.
Meantime, alleged target King has launched a new ad campaign, thanking patients for keeping the business afloat while Mockovak faces charges in court.
"On behalf of our outstanding team of professionals, I would like to thank our patients for their continued support. we are deeply grateful," King says in his ad.
Mockovak remains free on bail. He is due back in court on Feb. 18.
At the prosecutor's request, the judge on Wednesday pushed back proceedings in Michael Mockovak's case.
"We still have substantial discovery to do," said prosecutor Susan Storey. "The state still has a lot that I know exists that has not been collected."
Mockovak, who was released on $2 million bail, was present in court in a coat and tie instead of the jail jumpsuit he wore to his last court date.
The eye surgeon is accused of trying to arrange the murders of two men -- Dr. Joseph King, Mackovak's former brother-in-law with whom he co-founded Clearly Lasik in Renton, and Brad Klock, former company president.
When profits sank last year, the doctors at Clearly Lasik fired several employees, prompting Klock to file a complaint in court.
Mockovak responded by asking a Russian-born employee for mafia connections because he wanted Klock "eliminated," according to court documents. Prosecutors say he offered $125,000 to a hit man to kill the two men.
According to court documents, Mockovak wanted to kill King, who had taken out a $5 million insurance policy, and make his death look like an accident. He even suggested drowning as a method, the documents said. An employee told investigators Mockovak had been angry at King for allegedly wanting to split up the company.
Mockovak pleaded not guilty last month to two counts of first-degree solicitation to commit murder.
But FBI agents said they've recorded the conversations between Mockovak and the man he tried to hire for the crime.
Meantime, alleged target King has launched a new ad campaign, thanking patients for keeping the business afloat while Mockovak faces charges in court.
"On behalf of our outstanding team of professionals, I would like to thank our patients for their continued support. we are deeply grateful," King says in his ad.
Mockovak remains free on bail. He is due back in court on Feb. 18.