Man acquitted in drug case faces new charges

COEUR d'ALENE (AP) - A Las Vegas developer who was acquitted on Idaho marijuana charges has now been accused of plotting to kill key witnesses and a federal prosecutor.

Kelly J. Polatis waived extradition Wednesday to Utah, where is charged with using interstate commerce for the commission of murder-for-hire.

Polatis was charged Friday, the same day a federal jury acquitted him of charges filed after Idaho State Police found a marijuana grow operation with 700 plants in November 2008.

Charlie and Karrie Hatridge of Post Falls pleaded guilty last summer to a conspiracy charge in the drug case and testified against Polatis last week in Coeur d'Alene.

While Polatis was awaiting trial, he returned to St. George, Utah.

Defense attorney Gabriel Grasso says the son of a nanny Polatis hired was a government informant who "pressured" Polatis to talk about ways to "get rid" of witnesses and arranged a meeting with an undercover FBI agent posing as a hit man.