Two arrested in alleged murder-for-hire plot in Sedalia

A man and woman have been arrested for their alleged roles in a murder-for-hire plan in Sedalia.

According to court documents, an informant for the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a having a conversation with Wendy McGinnis and Terry Johnson, in which McGinnis said she wanted her husband Steve McGinnis dead. Wendy also allegedly indicated she was willing to pay to have it done, claiming Steve had sexually assaulted Wendy’s daughter years before. The informant reported Wendy further mentioned a life insurance policy Steve had in which Wendy was named the beneficiary.

The same informant reported a second conversation with Wendy and Johnson, where Wendy again mentioned the life insurance policy, allegedly saying she would give half of it away to see Steve killed.

On May 12, a sergeant with the Highway Patrol met with Wendy in Sedalia. Johnson reportedly went with her to the meeting, but left before Wendy and the sergeant spoke with each other. According to the sergeant, Wendy first said she only wanted her husband hurt, before changing her mind to say she wanted him killed, offering the sergeant $25,000 to get it done.

Wendy reportedly said several times she wanted the death to appear as an accident, describing the property where Steve lives and directions to his trailer. She further allegedly suggested the death could be made to look like a tree fell on Steve in a place where he was known to cut firewood.

Following that conversation, another state trooper arrested Wendy and Johnson. During a later interview at the Pettis County Jail, Johnson apparently told authorities he told Wendy the transaction for $25,000 was a “good deal.”