Cody, Wyoming — A Wyoming mother accused of trying to arrange the killing of her daughter’s boyfriend has reached a plea agreement that could significantly reduce the prison exposure she was facing.
Wendy Coe, 57, pleaded no contest Monday to attempted aggravated assault and battery, resolving a case that originally involved a charge of soliciting first-degree murder. The agreement came nearly three years after investigators say Coe was caught discussing plans to have the man killed during an undercover sting.
According to reporting from Cowboy State Daily and an affidavit obtained by the outlet, Coe allegedly wanted the boyfriend dead because she believed he had introduced her daughter to drugs and contributed to her addiction.
Undercover Agent Posed as a Hitman
The investigation began after an unnamed person contacted the Cody Police Department and reported that Coe had allegedly been trying for about two weeks to find someone willing to kill her daughter’s boyfriend.
Authorities then arranged an undercover operation.
On Dec. 20, 2023, a Wyoming Department of Criminal Investigation agent contacted Coe while posing as someone willing to carry out a killing.
Coe allegedly instructed the undercover agent to meet her at the store where she worked. She directed him to a back area where surveillance cameras would not capture their conversation.
During the recorded meeting, the agent proposed a price of $10,000 for the killing.
According to the affidavit, Coe indicated that the amount was reasonable but said she could not immediately afford to pay the full amount.
Coe Discussed Multiple Ways the Man Could Die
The conversation reportedly turned to possible ways to make the boyfriend’s death appear less suspicious. The undercover agent asked whether a shooting could be made to look like a drug deal gone wrong.
“So, if it looked like a drug deal gone bad and he was shot or something like that, is that out of the ordinary?”
Coe allegedly replied:
“That’s not out of the ordinary.”
She also reportedly suggested another possibility involving drugs. According to the affidavit, Coe told the agent:
“Or if he OD’d (overdosed). He OD’d up in the South Fork it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary.”
The agent warned that an overdose victim could potentially survive. He then said he would prefer to shoot the boyfriend. Coe allegedly responded:
“Works for me.”
She Was Asked for Photos and Personal Information
The undercover agent also requested information that could help identify and locate the intended target.
According to the affidavit, Coe agreed to provide photographs of the boyfriend, his home address, information about his vehicle and details about where he worked.
She also agreed to contribute several hundred dollars toward the purchase of a firearm. The agent ultimately decided that a friend could cover that expense instead.
The two agreed to meet again the following day. But the plan began falling apart before any killing could take place.
Coe Backed Away From the $10,000 Deal
On Dec. 21, 2023, Coe reportedly texted the undercover agent and said she could not afford the $10,000 payment they had discussed.
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She allegedly said she could provide some money after the new year and additional funds after receiving a raise in the spring. The agent then indicated that he might be willing to carry out the killing for less money.
Coe declined, saying there was “too much risk involved.” She was arrested that same day and booked into the Park County Jail.
Defense Raised Entrapment Argument
During subsequent court proceedings, Coe’s attorneys attempted to argue that a jury should be allowed to consider whether she had been entrapped by the undercover operation.
Prosecutors rejected that argument.
The state’s position was that Coe’s alleged intention to have the boyfriend killed existed before the undercover agent became involved and that the agent did not create the alleged criminal plan.
Park County Deputy Attorney Larry Eichele said the undercover agent “merely followed her lead.”
Plea Deal Limits Potential Prison Sentence
Under the no-contest agreement, Eichele agreed that prosecutors would not seek more than five to eight years in prison. Coe’s defense team will also be permitted to argue for probation.
After accepting the plea, Judge Bill Simpson ordered a presentence investigation before deciding Coe’s punishment. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
What do you think about the circumstances surrounding this case and the plea agreement? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
