Gallatin, Tennessee — A Tennessee man has been sentenced to 42 years in prison after prosecutors said he secretly tracked his husband to a Walmart parking lot, repeatedly stabbed him, fled the state, and later attempted to orchestrate another deadly attack while awaiting trial behind bars.
The case grew even more alarming after investigators alleged the defendant tried to recruit another inmate to kill not only the surviving victim but also members of the victim’s family.
Tracking Device Led Suspect to Walmart
According to the Sumner County District Attorney’s Office, Larry Wayne Cole, 21, pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder, solicitation to commit first-degree murder, and assaulting two law enforcement officers while incarcerated.
Prosecutors said that on July 30, 2024, Cole secretly placed an electronic surveillance device underneath his husband’s vehicle to monitor his movements without his knowledge.
Authorities said the tracking device eventually led Cole to a Walmart parking lot in Gallatin, located about 30 miles northeast of Nashville.
Investigators allege Cole found the victim sitting inside a vehicle, forced his way in, and repeatedly stabbed him before fleeing the scene.
The victim survived the attack and was later reported to be in stable condition.
Suspect Fled Tennessee After the Attack
Following the stabbing, prosecutors said Cole drove away in a Volkswagen Jetta registered in his name.
Authorities tracked his movements as he traveled from Tennessee to Maine, where investigators say he attempted to cross the Canadian border.
Law enforcement arrested him before he could leave the country, and he was returned to Tennessee to face criminal charges.
Prosecutors Say He Planned Another Murder From Jail
While being held in the Sumner County Jail, investigators say Cole began planning another violent attack.
According to prosecutors, he allegedly approached another inmate who was about to be released and asked him to kill the surviving victim and the victim’s entire family at their home in Wilson County.
Instead of agreeing to the plan, the inmate immediately informed authorities, allowing investigators to intervene before anyone was harmed.
Officials said detectives later recovered maps of the family’s home, coded notes identifying the property’s location, and evidence that Cole had allegedly offered payment in exchange for the murders.
Additional Charges Stemmed From Jail Assaults
While awaiting trial, Cole also faced accusations of assaulting two correctional officers employed by the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office.
Those incidents became part of the overall criminal case and were included in the plea agreement that ultimately resolved the prosecution.
Court Imposes 42-Year Prison Sentence
As part of his guilty plea, Cole accepted responsibility for the charges, avoiding a trial.
The court sentenced him to 42 years in prison, reflecting both the attempted murder and the later solicitation case, along with the assaults committed while incarcerated.
Prosecutors said the outcome brings accountability for a case that involved premeditated tracking, a violent stabbing, an interstate flight, and an alleged attempt to organize additional killings from inside jail.
The victim survived the original attack, while authorities credited the inmate who alerted law enforcement with preventing what could have become another tragedy.
What are your thoughts on this case? Should secretly placing tracking devices on someone’s vehicle carry even tougher criminal penalties? Share your opinion respectfully in the comments below.
