Stress-free killing

A boat, a truck and a camper. Perfect accessories with which to escape the stresses of modern living. And to keep the troubles out of mind, a bottle of anti-anxiety meds. The promise of such R & R must appeal to many in these difficult times. And all that’s needed to make it possible is a couple of murders. Somehow, getting away from it all wasn’t enough for the man to whom this golden opportunity was offered, so he called the police. Now a Port St. Lucie, Florida, woman and her son face a white trashbin-full of criminal charges.

William Allen Cook and his mother, Therese Batson, had their sights set on the inheritance they’d reap if something ended the lives of Cook’s stepfather and stepfather’s brother. Rather than wait for that something, the pair sought the services of a hitman. But that man instead called police, who fit him with a wiretap. Police then recorded Cook offering the man his stepfather’s boat, camper and truck as reward for the murders. As down payment, Cook presented 29 generic-brand Xanax.

Mother and son face two counts of solicitation to commit murder, with bonus drug charges against Cook for delivering the pills.

by SCOTT SAXON