Man shot dead in New Albany was awaiting trial for plot to kill ex-wife

A man who was shot and killed in New Albany, Indiana, the day before Thanksgiving was awaiting trial for conspiracy to have his ex-wife killed.

Mark McCane, 49, of Floyds Knobs, was found dead Wednesday evening from multiple gunshot wounds, according to a press release from the Floyd County Sheriff's Department.

At around 8 p.m. on Wednesday, officers from the Floyd County Sheriff's Department were dispatched to the 3000 block of Moccasin Ridge Court after reports of gunshots were called into the department.

At the scene, they found the homeowner, David Chin, shot in the hand as well as McCane's body riddled with multiple gunshot wounds. The homeowner was taken to the University of Louisville Hospital and was expected to live.

McCane was set to have a trial on January 22, 2018, relating to charges of theft of a firearm and conspiracy to commit murder of his ex-wife.

Since divorcing in 2012, the two had been locked in an ongoing dispute over child visitation arrangements, Floyd County Superior Court records show.

Investigators claim McCane spoke with Johnny Brown, who worked for McCane in the roofing business, multiple times about his desire to kill his former wife and his willingness to pay to make that happen.

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Evidence came, in part, in the form of eight conversations recorded by Brown on his cell phone, Detective George Shultz of the Floyd County Sheriff's Department said in a probable cause affidavit filed in November 2016. The men spoke of various ways of killing her and discussed possible locations and ways to get rid of a body, according to the affidavit charging the ex-husband with conspiracy to commit murder. The killing never took place.

Floyd County Sheriff Frank Loop said in a statement they were not looking for anyone else in relation to the shooting on Wednesday evening. The homeowner that was shot has not been charged, according to Indiana court records.

Reporter Matthew Glowicki contributed to this report. Thomas Novelly: 502-582-4465; tnovelly@courierjournal.com; Twitter: @TomNovelly. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/tomn