Pocono News Section

Police Bust Murder Plot in Wayne County

Police Bust Murder Plot in Wayne County - Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 5:45PM EST

LAKE ARIEL, WAYNE COUNTY- Three people are facing charges in connection with a murder plot in Wayne County. Prosecutors say one of the suspects, a 17-year-old, was the son of the intended victim.
That 17-year-old has been identified as Patrick Stephen. He's being charged as an adult. State Police say he plotted with two other men to kill his mother. The plot only came to light after he told another high school friend, and that friend blew the whistle.

A student from Western Wayne High School is being credited for saving a woman's life. State Police say he helped bust a murder plot as it was unfolding.

It was all supposed to happen at a home on Bidwell Hill Road in Lake Ariel. Troopers say 17-year-old Patrick Stephen plotted with two other men to kill his mother.

The plan was hatched 2-to-3 weeks ago. According to court papers, it started when Patrick Stephen and Dave and Jon Gower were talking about their dislike for Patrick's mother.

They planned to kill her that night, but weren't able to. According to investigators, Patrick Stephen wanted his mother dead so bad he threw his house keys out of a school bus for the other two suspects.

They landed on Route 348 near Maplewood Drive. When state police searched the area, they say they found a small package inside this drainage ditch. Inside that package, house keys. The student who originally blew the whistle said it was the same package he saw Stephen throw from the school bus.

Patricia Stephen was back inside her Lake Ariel home Tuesday afternoon. She declined comment, telling us only, "she'd seen better days."

According to investigators the plot was significant. The suspect's planned to use knives and had plans to obtain trash bags and shovels.