Alleged hitmen in attempted murder-for-hire plot identified

Alleged hitmen in attempted murder-for-hire plot identified
Monday, June 14, 2010

James Lowery (left) is in custody and charged with solicitation of capital murder. Police are still trying to locate another alleged hitman, Richard Andrew Gutierrez (right).

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- We are learning more about the investigation into an attempted murder-for-hire plot on the wife of a prominent Houston attorney.

Eyewitness News has obtained a probable cause court document identifying James Lowery, 27, as one of the men who allegedly arranged to have Bellaire socialite Yvonne Stern shot. Prosecutors say Lowery received a 1995 Toyota Camry as payment for allegedly arranging the hit on Stern and was told the job would pay $10,000.

According to court documents, Lowery solicited an unknown person to carry out the hit. Stern was shot in the abdomen on May 5 in the parking lot of an apartment complex on North Braeswood. She survived the attack.

Police say Michelle Gaiser, 37, was having an affair with Stern's husband, Jeffrey, who is a personal injury lawyer. Gaiser is accused of orchestrating the hit on Yvonne Stern.

The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement has a put a hold on Gaiser who is Filipino. She remains in jail on a $500,000 bond.

Gaiser and Lowery are charged with solicitation of capital murder. Police are still attempting to locate another alleged hitman, Richard Andrew Gutierrez, 32, who is wanted on a charge of solicitation of capital murder.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Richard Gutierrez is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

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