Fourth suspect pleads not guilty in murder-for-hire of James City County woman

By: Becca Mitchell

James City County, Va. – The fourth suspect arrested in a murder-for-hire plot in James City County pleaded not guilty to capital murder charges on Friday.

Gregory Andrew Crawford, 25, was arrested in February and indicted in March on one count of capital murder and one county of conspiracy to commit capital murder for the death of Dana Patterson Mackay.

Crawford’s jury trial is scheduled to start on August 25th.

Three other people have already pleaded guilty as part of plea deals for their involvement in Dana Mackay’s death. Dana’s husband, John Wayne Mackay, his girlfriend, Nicole Houchin, and his girlfriend’s husband, Nace Eugene Houchin are all scheduled to be sentenced on May 15th.

Dana Mackay, age 42, was found dead by a neighbor inside her Teal Way home on July 27, 2013. She had suffered multiple stab wounds to the face and a finger had been cut off.

Her husband, John Wayne Mackay, and his mistress, Nicole Michelle Houchin, were arrested on July 29th and charged with Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Accessory before the fact of Capital Murder, and First Degree Murder.

It was revealed that the two conspired to kill Dana with Nicole Houchin’s husband, Nace Eugene Houchin Jr. for $20,000.

Nace Houchin was arrested on November 15, 2013 and faces the same charges.

Court documents say Crawford worked with John and Nicole at AutoZone. Nicole told police that one day after work, she asked Crawford if he knew someone who could help get rid of John’s wife.

Crawford said he knew someone, but several weeks later, he said that guy had been shot in the hand, so he volunteered.

Documents further reveal that John Mackay offered to pay Crawford and Nace Houchin $20,000 to kill Dana.

Records say Crawford, Nicole and Nace broke into Dana’s home using a credit card. Nace kicked open Dana’s bedroom door and beat her to death with a long socket wrench.

Then, police say, Nace knocked over items to make it look like a robbery.

Documents show Crawford later threw the murder weapon into the James River.