The co-founder of a Northwest chain of eye-surgery centers has been convicted of plotting to kill two former colleagues.
Dr. Michael Mockovak of Clearly Lasik eye centers was found guilty Thursday of four counts, including attempted murder. The King County Superior Court jury deliberated for less than two days.
Prosecutors said Mockovak was willing to pay more than $100,00 to have business partner Dr. Joseph King and former company president Brad Klock killed, and that he solicited an employee to hire an assassin.
Mockovak's lawyers claimed the employee goaded him into the plot after Mockovak raised the idea as a joke.
But prosecutors told the jury the evidence against Mockovak showed a different picture, according to KOMO News:
"He chose murder out of greed and an overwhelming desire to run the business his way," said Senior Deputy Prosecutor Susan Storey.
Clearly Lasik has offices throughout the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada. The company reported earnings of $17 million in 2007, but that figure dipped to $10 million in 2008.
Mockovak will be sentenced in March.
