NORTHAMPTON – A Holyoke woman is being held on $100,000 bail for her alleged involvement in two separate murder-for-hire plots.
Cynthia P. Coons, 50, pleaded not guilty in Hampshire Superior Court Friday to a charge of conspiracy in the first degree.
Coons allegedly conspired with two other individuals, her husband Jason Coons, and roommate Elinor Roberge, to commit murder, according to court documents.
The intended target of the plot was the alleged victim in Jason Coons’ pending rape case in Hampshire Superior Court in order to get his case dismissed, according to the Northwestern district attorney’s office.
Cynthia Coons has been held since her arraignment in Northampton District Court in April. As part of the commonwealth’s argument for ordering bail at that time, they alleged that Coons was an “integral player in two separate murder for hire plots,” and that payments had commenced, according to court documents.
Her husband was already incarcerated in the Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction on separate criminal charges at the time of the alleged murder-for-hire plots.
Roberge was released on conditions she stay away from and not have contact with the alleged victim, as well as Jason and Cynthia Coons. She must also report to probation in person weekly.
Emily Cutts can be reached at ecutts@gazettenet.com.