Virginia Beach man gets life for murder-for-hire scheme

Sept. 04--CHESAPEAKE -- A former sailor was sentenced Thursday to life in prison, plus 20 years, on charges he killed his friend's wife as part of a murder-for-hire scheme.

The sentence handed down to Marcus Hofferber, 27, was far longer than the one one meted out earlier this year to the victim's husband. Cory Abshire, another former sailor, was ordered to serve 25 years in prison under a separate plea agreement.

Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney D.J. Hansen explained in court he offered Abshire a shorter sentence in order to avoid a jury trial and a possible acquittal.

"We all swallowed hard to take that," he told the court, adding that Abshire "covered his tracks well. This defendant did not."

Abshire and Hofferber pleaded guilty to one count each of first-degree murder in connection with the Jan. 19, 2013, slaying of 26-year-old Rachel Abshire. Hofferber also pleaded guilty to conspiracy and armed burglary.

According to court documents, Cory Abshire hired Hofferber to kill his estranged wife, with whom he had two sons, ages 2 and 5. He arranged for Hoffeber to enter Rachel Abshire's apartment while the children were out. He went with Hofferber to the apartment, but waited outside while his friend stab her to death.

The two men initially denied any involvement in the death when questioned by police, with each serving as the other's alibi. Hofferber eventually confessed, though.

Hofferber, of Virginia Beach, told police Cory Abshire offered him $25,000 in insurance money to do it, court documents said. He said he agreed because he was in debt.

Assistant Public Defender Matthew Taylor, Hofferber's attorney, asked for his client to receive a sentence equal to Abshire's. He noted Hofferber's criminal record consisted only of a fish and game violation. He argued Hofferber was a follower who was easily manipulated by Abshire; that his client lacked "free will."

Hansen countered Hofferber made several decisions in his life, including the night of the stabbing. He said Hofferber went to Rachel Abshire's apartment two times that night. He said Hofferber "chickened out" the first time when he opened the front door and heard a beep he mistook for a security alarm.

"The defense speaks as though there is a disease here. There is not. There's no evidence of that," Hansen said.

Circuit Judge John W. Brown agreed and noted how Hofferber knew his victim and that she had two sons. He added that her children are also victims in all of this.

"Not only for today, but for the rest of their lives," he said.

Princess Hepner, Rachel Abshire's mother, praised the final sentence.

"It's an answered prayer," said Hepner, who is now called "mommy" by her two grandchildren. "It's an end to all of this craziness. I'm just thankful this is all over."

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