Published Friday, March 26, 1999 However, the judge Thursday sentenced Mrs. Lagun, 45, of 456 Blacktown Road, Springfield Township, to 11 1/2 to 24 months less a day in Mercer County Jail to be followed by seven years probation. The judge ordered work release so she can continue to care for her diabetic husband and her 95-year-old mother-in-law.
While she and her divorced husband were going through reconciliation, Mrs. Lagun pleaded guilty to attempted murder.
A probable cause affidavit said Mrs. Lagun told state police she conspired with Vincent Steinroth of Butler to rig the washing machine to explode and kill her ex-husband, Thomas Lagun, and burn down his Worth Township mobile home for insurance proceeds.
The affidavit said Steinroth, accompanied by Mrs. Lagun, wired bottles of gasoline to the washing machine. The incident occurred between April 24, 1996, and May 19, 1996.
"Since this happened, my ex-wife has been through a lot of mental anguish," said the would-be victim, Thomas Lagun. "I need her at home to take care of me," he said.
Since their divorce, Mrs. Lagun has cared for her ex-husband, who is a diabetic, and her husband's elderly mother, said Rev. Terry Johnson, pastor of Triumph Christian Center Church, Farrell.
For a woman who cares for others, the incident "was out of character" for Mrs. Lagun, said Veronica Smith, an assistant public defender. "She got involved with some terrible people," Ms. Smith said.
Mrs. Lagun suffers from epilepsy and other medical problems, the assistant public defender said.
"I've never been in trouble. I've always tried help people. I got into something I couldn't get out of ... It happened so fast," Mrs. Lagun said.
If her ex-husband had not noticed a defect with the washing machine, it would have been a murder, Wherry said. "The device was moronic, but the intent was there," the judge said.
"You're basically a fine individual, who did one bad thing," Wherry said.
"This is not making any sense," the judge said.
