Collierville attorney pleads not guilty to trying to kill his wife

901-529-2355 gas station following a TBI investigation.

Wortman allegedly gave an undercover agent, who was posing as a hit man, instructions and a down payment to have his wife, Staci Wortman, murdered.

Wortman’s charge of attempted first-degree murder and one of the charges of solicitation of first-degree murder came from this incident, according to the indictment.

On July 1, while in jail, Wortman allegedly approached another inmate, soliciting him to kill his wife. That incident led to the second solicitation of first-degree murder charge in the indictment.

Since the TBI is investigating that, Dist. Atty. Gen. Michael Dunavant said he cannot provide further details.

Wortman is being held in the Fayette County Jail on a $15 million bond, which his defense attorney, Robert Brannon, said he has no plans to challenge at this time.

“The bond was originally set on two charges. He also has a case pending in Shelby County,” said Brannon, who is representing Wortman in both courts. “It just doesn’t seem feasible at this time to lower the bond when you’ve got the trial date on Dec. 1.”

Wortman also faces one charge of attempted murder in Shelby County. That refers to an incident in which Wortman allegedly tried to kill his wife by poisoning her toothpaste, which one of their three children — all of whom are under age 10 — also apparently used.