An Iron Range man has admitted to participating in a murder-for-hire plot hatched by a woman who wanted to get rid of her boyfriend.
John E. Isham, 39, of Virginia, pleaded guilty Friday in St. Louis County District Court to aiding an offender and obstructing an investigation in connection with the stabbing death of Harley J. Jacka, 28, of Virginia, on April 27, 2014. Isham's sentencing is scheduled for April 22.
Janessa Lynn Peters, 21, of Eveleth pleaded guilty in November to second-degree murder for her role in the slaying of her boyfriend. Peters admitted that she enticed Jacka to show up at a late-night party at an apartment in Virginia. She confessed four months later to authorities because she could "not live with herself anymore," the criminal complaint against her read.
She said wanted the relationship to end and asked Bartholamy Jake Drift to kill Jacka, and Drift agreed.
Drift, 41, of Virginia, also pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for his involvement in the crime.
Peters and Drift are awaiting sentencing. The fourth defendant, Anthony James Isham, 44, of Virginia — a cousin of John Isham's — is charged with first-degree murder. He's scheduled to be in court Tuesday for a pretrial hearing.
An autopsy revealed that Jacka was stabbed 15 times, leaving wounds to his head, face, neck and chest. The knife broke in the process.
Footprints in blood at the scene matched shoes owned by Drift and Anthony Isham, authorities said. John Isham also was present during the attack.
