Lawyer takes plea deal in murder-for-hire plot involving estranged ex's new girlfriend — their former au pair

A respected animal rights lawyer in Colorado accused of orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot involving her estranged ex’s new girlfriend has taken a plea deal and admitted her role in the crime.

In late June, Jennifer Emmi, 43, pleaded guilty to seven felonies and four misdemeanors, her lawyer said, according to the Canyon Courier.

Emmi’s felony charges include solicitation to commit second-degree murder, menacing, heat-of-passion strangulation, attempting to influence a judge, violating a bail bond, retaliation against a witness, and stalking.

The misdemeanors range from criminal mischief and reckless driving to tampering and child abuse. 

As part of the deal, the judge agreed to dismiss 11 felony and 12 misdemeanor charges against her, according to People.

As FrontPageDetectives previously reported, the founder of a non-profit animal ranch, was in the process of divorcing her husband, Donald “Donni” Emmi, when she attempted to carry out the deadly plan to kill their former au pair, who he was now dating.

In November 2020, an arrest affidavit stated, Emmi allegedly offered farmhand Timothy Lindsey $100,000 to “take care of” the woman originally hired to help with the couple’s three children.

Earlier that year, in January 2020, Donald Emmi was holding one of their children when she allegedly “pulled a knife” on her ex and “put it to his neck,” FOX News reported, citing Jefferson County law enforcement documents.

Emmi originally denied she had anything to do with the plot, and her lawyer has said her words were misconstrued.

Emmi claimed treatment for multiple sclerosis, which was the result of a brain bleed she suffered, led up to what happened.

“I said and did things that I can’t believe came out of my mouth, because of the steroids,” she told Denver’s KDVR shortly after her January 2021 arrest.

“I was set up, and I have been repeatedly set up. All I can say is I want the truth to come out. The whole thing is crazy. I don't want to hurt anyone,” she insisted at the time.

Emmi is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 16.