Woman regrets hiring hitman

SANDUSKY — A convicted 71-year-old woman is grief-stricken and suicidal over her decision to try to have her ex-son-in-law killed."Her history of depression, inadequacy, rejection and suicidal thoughts require attention," her attorney, David Klucas wrote in a memorandum, citing a report by a forensic evaluator. "Despite her initial lack of remorse at the time of her arrest, she now feels nearly overwhelmed with guilt and remorse."Sandra Haughawout, of Milan Township, was arrested in June 2018 after she allegedly hired a hitman — who was actually an undercover FBI agent — and paid him $8,000 to carry out the murder of her daughter's ex-husband.Haughawout is scheduled to be sentenced Monday.In the memorandum filed in Toledo's U.S. District Court Monday, Klucas asked the court to consider the "fractured state" of Haughawout's mental health when sentencing her. He also asked the judge to consider Haughawout's "unhealthy" relationship with her daughter. A child custody case between the daughter and her ex-husband triggered plot to murder the man."Mrs. Haughawout had a long history of rescuing (her daughter) from various financial and other perils her entire life, often against the wishes of other family members," Klucas wrote. "(Haughawout) became infected by her daughter's hate for her ex-husband."Klucas continued: "While incarcerated, Mrs. Haughawout reached out to her daughter and told her that until she works through these issues … Mrs. Haughawout cannot be a part of her life."Sentencing maximumHaughawout's prison term could be shorter than originally expected.Klucas wrote that Haughawout's pre-sentence investigation, which has apparently not yet been made public, shows the maximum sentence she faces is five years instead of the originally agreed upon 20-year maximum.Haughawout's regretsKlucas emphasized that Haughawout is sorry for what she did."She is guilty of soliciting murder, and she does not expect the court to ignore it," he wrote. "This inexplicable episode is the only blemish on an otherwise exemplary life."Klucas wrote that Haughawout is a mother of five and grandmother of 12, and that she operated a dog grooming service for more than 30 years."She is unanimously regarded as caring and selfless, active in her church, committed to her family and a genuine asset to her community," he wrote. "In Mrs. Haughawout's mind, that is all gone now. Milan is a small community; there are no secrets and her conviction is well-known by all."Klucas also said another person, who has not been charged with a crime, put Haughawout in contact with the fake hitman and purportedly encouraged her to seek the hitman out."(Haughawout) accepts complete responsibility, but it is unlikely this crime would have occurred without the encouragement of (the person)," Klucas wrote.Klucas also wrote that the forensic evaluator recommended Haughawout spend at least six months of her sentence getting inpatient treatment at a "secure facility.""Mrs. Haughawout welcomes this suggestion," he wrote. "While she certainly acknowledges that punishment for her behavior is mandated, she also believes whatever remains of her life after her sentence will be greatly improved by this treatment."Reach reporter Brandon Addeo at brandonaddeo@sanduskyregister.com, follow him on Twitter @BrandonAddeo and follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterSandra Lee Haughawout