FAYETTEVILLE -- A West Fork woman accused of plotting to blow up her ex-husband with a homemade pipe bomb pleaded guilty Monday in Washington County Circuit Court.
Shirley Ann Mugley, 41, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit capital murder, possession of a destructive device and criminal use of a prohibited weapon.
Circuit Judge Mark Lindsay sentenced Mugley to 40 years for all three charges at the Arkansas Department of Correction with 22 years suspended. She was given credit for 82 days jail time served. The charge of conspiracy to commit capital murder netted 30 years with 12 years suspended of the sentence.
Mugley was given until July 30 to report to jail. She is free on $10,000 bond. She'll wear an ankle monitor and is to have no contact with the victim in the case.
Police believe a divorce pushed Mugley to plan to kill her ex-husband, Michael.
Mugley's case had been delayed multiple times. The last time was to allow time for a mental examination. Doctors at the Arkansas State Hospital found her fit to stand trial.
Mugley suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder, doctors said. She was able to understand the proceedings and assist in her defense.
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 and is free on bond. His trial is scheduled Aug. 12.
An arrest report identified Cox as Mugley's boyfriend.
A fisherman told the Washington County Sheriff's Office he found an explosive device in a creek off Kettle Springs Road near Hogeye on April 20, 2013. Officers from several agencies determined it was a pipe bomb with a cellphone strapped to it.
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 ex-husband 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.
NW News on 07/01/2014