The trial of a West Fork woman accused of plotting to kill her ex-husband with a pipe bomb has been delayed for the second time in two months, according to the Washington County Prosecutor’s Office.
The conspiracy to commit capital murder trial of Shirley Ann Mugley was set to begin Thursday in Washington County Circuit Court. A judge will decide Thursday when Mugley’s trial will be rescheduled for, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Her trial was also delayed Oct. 14 to allow Mugley to undergo a mental evaluation to determine whether she is mentally fit to stand trial, according to court records. Mental evaluations are common in capital murder and similar cases.
Mugley and the man charged with being her conspirator in the pipe-bomb plot pleaded not guilty at their August arraignment, according to court records. Mugley is charged with felony conspiracy to commit capital murder, criminal possession of a destructive device and criminal use of prohibited weapons.
Mugley was arrested in July following a failed attempt to kill her ex-husband with a pipe bomb, with the help of Andrew Cox, 20, according to court records. She was later released on $50,000 bond, with Cox being released on $5,000 bond, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Washington County deputies said Cox told police he went with Mugley to buy materials to make the pipe bomb. Cox and Mugley made the bomb in the basement of Mugley’s house on the 14000 block of Highway 265 South, according to a preliminary arrest report.
Cox had a previous romantic relationship with Mugley, the report states.
Police said they obtained video of Mugley buying a cell phone that matches the phone that was attached to the pipe bomb, the report states. According to the report, police recorded a phone call between Cox and Mugley during which Mugley discussed the pipe bomb and the conspiracy to kill her husband.
The pipe bomb was found in April in the Illinois River in rural Washington County, according to the sheriff’s office. Washington County Sheriff Tim Helder said Cox threw the pipe bomb in the river after he “chickened out.”
