Texas Car Dealer, 2 Ex-Marines Convicted In Murder-For-Hire Plot

The case of Erik Maund, a once successful car dealership owner in Texas, has come to a close with the conviction of him and two former Marines, Adam Samalik and William “Billy” Mark Wilson, in a murder-for-hire scheme. The three men face a life sentence in prison, a consequence of their involvement in a plan to eliminate Maund’s former business partner, Jason Hart.

The scheme came to light in 2018 when investigators uncovered evidence of Maund’s involvement in the plan to have Hart killed. The evidence revealed that Maund, motivated by a desire to silence Hart, had contacted Samalik and Wilson, who had been discharged from the Marine Corps, and offered them a large sum of money to carry out the assassination. The three men meticulously planned the killing, meticulously researching ways to ensure their actions wouldn’t be traced back to them, a testament to their meticulous planning. The plan involved having Hart lured to a remote location, where the former Marines, armed with assault rifles, were to execute the deed.

However, the plan went awry when Samalik failed to show up at the designated time. The plan fell apart when Wilson, armed and ready to carry out the assassination, realized Samalik was a no-show. Fearful of being caught, Wilson fled the scene, abandoning the murder weapon. Maund had grown increasingly suspicious of Samalik, realizing he might be a liability and potentially jeopardizing the plan. This suspicion eventually led to Samalik being apprehended and subsequently, the unraveling of the entire conspiracy.

The investigation revealed that the murder-for-hire plot was driven by a complex web of resentment and financial greed. Maund, fueled by a bitter business dispute, sought to eliminate Hart to secure his financial interests and end the threat Hart posed. Samalik and Wilson, motivated by the promise of a large sum of money, readily agreed to the sinister scheme. The case serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers of unchecked greed and the lengths individuals will go to secure their self-interests.