Trial Reset For West Fork Woman Accused Of Planning Plot To Kill Husband

FAYETTEVILLE — A West Fork woman, accused of building a bomb as part of a plot to murder her husband, had her trial reset Thursday in Washington County Circuit Court.

Shirley Mugley, 40, of 14020 S. Arkansas 265, faces felony charges of conspiracy to commit capital murder, criminal use of a prohibited weapon and criminal use of explosives.

Police believe a bitter divorce led Mugley to plot to kill her ex-husband, Michael.

Mugley was set for trial Thursday. Judge Mark Lindsay reset the case to begin May 6 for a three-day trial. Mugley was recently ordered to undergo a mental examination and the results aren't complete, according to prosecutors.

Andrew Cox, 20, of 850 S. Silverado Drive in Fayetteville is an accused co-conspirator. Cox is charged with felony criminal use of a prohibited weapon. Lindsay also reset Cox’s case to May 6.

An arrest report identified Cox as Mugley’s boyfriend.

A fisherman called Washington County Sheriff's Office deputies April 20 to report finding an explosive device in a creek off Kettle Springs Road near Hogeye. Members of the Bentonville Bomb Squad determined the device was a pipe bomb with a cellphone strapped to it.

Members of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted in identifying the bomb.

Investigators identified Shirley Mugley as a person of interest, based on video surveillance, domestic history and cellphone information.

Cox told police about the plot to kill Mugley’s husband, Michael, according to the arrest report. Investigators said Cox accompanied Mugley when she bought material to make the device.

Store video showed Mugley buying a cellphone at Walmart matching the description of the cellphone attached to the bomb, according to the report. Cox said Mugley built the device in the basement of her home. Mugley learned how to make the bomb by watching a video on YouTube, according to Sheriff Tim Helder.

Cox planned to attach the bomb to Michael Mugley’s car but changed his mind and threw the bomb into the creek, Helder said.

During a recorded phone call, Shirley Mugley discussed details regarding the bomb and the conspiracy to murder Michael Mugley, according to a report. Investigators searched her home and seized items consistent with bomb making.

Mugley remains in the Washington County Jail. Cox is free on bond.

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