Former lawyer convicted of trying to change witness's testimony of murder-for-hire plot

JOLIET – A former lawyer who plotted from behind bars to have his ex-wife murdered was convicted of trying to get another man to change his testimony about being offered $5,000 to carry out the killing.

Robert W. Gold-Smith, 55, of Homer Glen, was found guilty by a jury Thursday of communicating with a witness. The jury reached its verdict shortly after noon.

Gold-Smith may spend between two to 10 years in prison, said Charles B. Pelkie, the spokesman for the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office. Gold-Smith indicated he will refuse to participate in a pre-sentence investigation, according to online court records.

Gold-Smith was charged in December 2015 with having an acquaintance offer Brian K. McDaniel payment to change his testimony. McDaniel, 53, had testified that in October 2012, Gold-Smith offered him $5,000 to kill his ex-wife.

McDaniel agreed to wear a wire for the sheriff’s department and Gold-Smith was charged with solicitation of murder.

Gold-Smith was sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2016 for trying to hire McDaniel to kill his ex-wife while he was locked up in Will County jail.

In February, Gold-Smith was sentenced to three years in prison for punching his ex-wife outside of a courtroom in November 2010.

Gold-Smith was admitted to Lawrence Correctional Center in March, according to Department of Corrections records.