Wendy Coe

A judge has again rejected a Cody woman’s request to be released from jail as she awaits trial on an alleged murder-for-hire plot.

Wendy D. Coe has been held in the Park County Detention Center since Dec. 21, when she was arrested and charged with a felony count of solicitation to commit first-degree murder; prosecutors allege Coe tried hiring an undercover officer to kill her daughter’s partner. She has pleaded not guilty, with bail set at $50,000 cash or surety.

Since her arrest, Coe has made multiple requests to be released from custody so she can seek medical care for what she’s described as possible signs of cancer or other serious ailments.

However, during a Tuesday bond modification hearing, Deputy Park County Prosecuting Attorney Larry Eichele argued that Coe “just wants to get out and is trying to rely on a prospective medical condition that doesn’t even exist.”

If Coe were to be released, “every suspect in jail would utilize this defense,” Eichele argued, “that, ‘I want to get out and seek medical treatment, because I don’t feel good.’”

For her part, Coe testified about specific pain she’s experienced and said she’s “terrified” about some of her symptoms.

While personnel at the Park County Detention Center do a good job providing basic care, Coe’s needs go beyond what they can provide at the jail, defense attorney Sam Krone said in arguing for her release to house arrest. He said a GPS tracking monitor would address any safety concerns.

“These are all mere allegations at this stage,” Krone added. “The defendant has multiple defenses to this case, and I believe that we’ll be able to present them at trial.”

District Court Judge Bill Simpson ultimately left the $50,000 bond in place.

Simpson noted that the trial date is less than two months away and that the charge is “very serious”; a conviction would carry the potential of a lifetime prison sentence.

“I am concerned that if bond is modified that Ms. Coe could potentially do any number of things that would not be helpful to her nor helpful to the continuing public health and safety in the case,” Simpson said.

He also expressed confidence that the medical providers at the detention center can address Coe’s needs.

Cody police began investigating Coe in December, after an individual reported that she had “solicited several people” to murder her adult daughter’s boyfriend. Police then arranged for Coe to be introduced to an undercover agent with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, who posed as a potential hitman. Charging documents allege Coe told the agent that she wanted the 29-year-old man “gone” and discussed the possibility of having him shot or staging a drug overdose. Coe reportedly said the $10,000 price suggested by the agent was “fair,” but said she didn’t have the money. She ultimately did not strike a deal with the agent, telling him “I can’t afford what we discussed.”

A trial is set to begin April 15.

Meanwhile, the man allegedly targeted by Coe also remains in custody at the Park County Detention Center. The Oregon resident was arrested just days after Coe, on unrelated misdemeanor allegations of driving while impaired, shoplifting and drug possession. Circuit Court Judge Joey Darrah agreed to lower the man’s bond last week — from $10,000 cash or surety to $1,000 cash — but as of Wednesday, he had yet to post that amount. His trial is set for May 23.