Ex-Husband Arrested in Plotting Assault of Divorce Attorney
Posted on Dec 30, 2010 12:00pm PST
Attorney and former collegiate official, Harold Johnson, has in both of his careers and by his own admission, been threatened with harm. But this week's alleged assault-for-hire attempt, to almost haven been beaten with a baseball bat, is even new for him, as reported by the Jackson Sun.
Businessman Patrick McCollum, the ex-husband of one of Johnson's clients, tried to hire an undercover agent to seriously hurt the 81 year-old attorney.
Johnson had recently sent a letter and court papers to McCollum regarding a modification of prior court orders. Johnson, who has practiced law since 1952, believes that this may have triggered McCollum to seek revenge by physical harm.
Johnson has maintained a sense of humor over McCollum's criminal intent, stating that he was a little "disappointed" that McCollum only offered the agent a mere $1,000 down payment for the assault.
Johnson, also known for his 33 seasons as a football official and 20 as a basketball referee said, "I've gotten threats at home and the office, over the phone threats and even the courtroom sometimes. I've been threatened even on the football field and basketball court so the threats are not something that ever bothered me. I don't know if I hadn't had any warning if I would have been able to resist but I'm not an ordinary 81 year old."
McCollum has been released on a $250,000 bond for solicitation to commit aggravated assault. The bond, as stated by Jackson Police Lt. Tyreece Miller, also requires him not to have any contact with his ex-wife or with Johnson.
McCollum still owes $13,000 for his 2002 divorce trial expenses, property division and now, in the current request made by Johnson, a new child support amount has been amended.
In 2005 one of the couple's children reached 18, the change request is in regards to the couple's younger child. Johnson said, "Everything was going along smooth enough until it was decided to set the support accurately for the young child. It could be more or less than what he's paying but it needed to be an exact amount."
Investigators that uncovered the plot the day before had an undercover Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agent meet McCollum at his business, Pat's Custom Cabinets, to hear McCollum's plan.
McCollum allegedly provided a cellular phone, mace and instructions for the agent to use a baseball bat to break numerous bones in Johnson's body.
Though Johnson laughed the idea off, his family was strained by the thought of an impending attack on their patriarch.
Johnson credited the Jackson Police and the TBI for saving him from great harm.
Johnson was looking forward to spending the rest of the holidays with his family that include four daughters, and their children, that were all in town.
McCollum was not reachable by the Jackson Sun for comment.
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