A Kingwood business owner was in court Friday, accused of trying to have his partner murdered - three times.
The partner and alleged victim is Charles Zubarik, a Farmers Branch resident and co-owner of a Houston company called Genesis Shipping and Cargo.
Prosecutors say Zubarik's partner, Chris Cooley, has tried to have him killed three different times. They say Cooley was driven by greed. He wanted the business all to himself so he hired other people to off Zubarik.
"Very rarely in our world so we hear of people paying somebody money to kill somebody else and in this particular instance one defendant paid people money to kill a very good man three different times," said Prosecutor Kelly Siegler.
The first attempt happened in May 2005 when Zubarik was shot while driving on Beltway 8. He survived and managed to drive himself to the hospital.
The most recent attempt occurred a few weeks ago, according to prosecutors.
The first attempt happened in 2005 when Zubarik was shot while driving on Beltway 8.
One suspect, Adrian Beltran, was arrested Thursday night and confessed to being the shooter in the May 2 incident. His statement led police to Cooley and the third suspect.
All three men were in court Friday for a bond hearing.
Zubarik was there to testify against them.
Cooley's attorney said he and his client were "shocked by the accusation."
"He has no prior record with the law. He's never been in trouble in his life," said Defense Attorney Sam Adamo. "He's a businessman. He has four young children ages 5 through 12.
Cooley lives in a Kingwood mansion in the 2200 block of Long Valley Drive.
His bond was set at $750,000. Bond for the other two suspects is $450,000 each.
Police were questioning at least three more suspects Friday and said more charges might be forthcoming.
