Houston Councilman Says He Received Death Threats

HOUSTON, TX — Michael Kubosh, a member of the city council here, said that he had received death threats connected to the investigation into the alleged murder-for-hire case against the late Valerie McDaniel and her then boyfriend, Leon Jacob.

Kubosh, who is also a bail bondsman, said that a call made to a district court on Thursday was an apparent threat against him and unnamed judges. According to Kubosh, a garbled and difficult to understand male voice sought to discuss a "matter of life and death for the judges on the Michael Kubosh Jacob ... case." The call, as reported by KTRK, appeared to have been made from a hotel on Hempstead Road.

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The murder-for-hire case was broken in large part when Kubosh told police officials about a meeting he had had with a client in February; the information led to charges against Jacob and McDaniel.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office sent the following statement to KTRK about the murder case:

"On Thursday, April 13, the Harris County Sheriff's Office received word from a judge in the Harris County Criminal Justice Center, that a male individual had phoned the office chambers and made disturbing and rambling remarks. The Harris County Sheriff's Office began an investigation, and information was received on the whereabouts of that male individual's residence. Investigators interviewed the subject and determined along with the judge that no criminal act had been committed. The Harris County Sheriff's office Critical Incident Response Team conducted an evaluation on his mental state. The male was cautioned from making any other communications with judicial officials."

McDaniel, who was a veterinarian with a clinic in Montrose, committed suicide in March; Jacob, a doctor, was denied bail and is incarcerated and awaiting trial.

— Image: HPD