Marine faces life term after pleading guilty in murder plot

[thedrifter]

Marine faces life term after pleading guilty in murder plot





By David Hasemyer
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

January 27, 2004

A Marine has pleaded guilty to attempting to murder the husband of his mistress while the two men were stationed in Kuwait.

The plea came yesterday in a military court at the Miramar Marine Corps Air Station, where a judge will begin hearing testimony to determine what sentence to impose on Chief Warrant Officer Larry A. Framness.

Framness, 36, could face life in federal prison when he is sentenced.

The Marine answered with a crisp "Yes, sir" when the judge asked him whether he was guilty of the charges against him.

"You are pleading guilty to some very serious offenses," Col. Robert Chester told Framness. "In fact, they don't get much more serious."

Framness acknowledged the seriousness of the charges and went ahead with guilty pleas to attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, dereliction of duty and adultery.

At the heart of the charges is what military prosecutors say was a plot by Framness and his mistress to kill the woman's husband, Chief Warrant Officer James Glass, so the two lovers could collect a $350,000 life insurance policy and then spend their lives together.

Framness met James Glass while they were assigned to the Marine Wing Support Squadron 371, based in Yuma. Framness later met Wendy Glass and the two began an 18-month affair before plotting to kill James Glass in October 2002.

"It started with a discussion that it'd be nice if he would just disappear," Framness told the judge. "We actually quit joking about it and started talking about making it happen."

The military hearing is being held at Miramar even though the case involves personnel based at Yuma Marine Corps Air Station.

Military investigators said Framness and Wendy Glass first plotted to kill her husband by faking a drunken-driving accident in the Laguna Mountains, but that plan failed twice when Wendy Glass could not get her husband drunk enough to pass out so his pickup could be pushed over a steep cliff with him behind the wheel.

Framness tried to kill him in May when the two men were stationed in Kuwait, military officials said. Framness lured Glass into a small guard shack and then tossed in a grenade after him.

"It was an understanding that neither of us wanted him returning to the United States," Framness told the judge. "And I would make that happen."

The explosion, which was supposed to look like a terrorist attack, left Glass bloodied from shrapnel embedded in his legs, arms and neck. Glass has recovered and testified against Framness in previous hearings.

Framness and Wendy Glass were indicted in Arizona on federal charges of conspiracy and attempted murder. Glass is scheduled to go to trial later this year. The charges against Framness are on hold pending the outcome of the military's case.

In admitting to the allegations, Framness gave up his right to a trial and will be sentenced by Chester after he hears testimony from witnesses on behalf of Framness.



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David Hasemyer: (619) 542-4583; david.hasemyer@uniontrib.com

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/...27framness.html


Sempers,

Roger