Staff report
A jury has convicted Stephen Perry of conspiracy to commit murder.
Perry, an Indianapolis man working at a Carmel oil changing business, offered $15,000 and a printing press for a coworker to kill his estranged wife.
He could face between 20 and 50 years in prison, according to the prosecutor’s office. Although a judge could choose to suspend the sentence.
According to police, the coworker secretly recorded two conversations between himself and Perry while at work. The coworker met with Perry’s estranged wife, and provided her with the recordings. Perry’s wife then reported the conversations to the police.
Police said Perry approached the coworker in November 2012 and asked if he knew a person that would kill someone for him. According to the coworker, Perry said, “Well, you’re black. I know y’all know people.”
The coworker thought initially that Perry was joking, but over several weeks, Perry became more and more detailed with his request.
On Dec. 8, 2012, Perry approached the coworker again, this time offering specific incentives for the murder of his estranged wife.
“I’m giving you $15,000 straight up real cash,” Perry said on one of the recordings. “I just want this to be over and done with. So if she dies, I can drop the divorce lawsuit, she’s dead, and I’m free.”
Along with $15,000, Perry also offered a self-built printing press that he had designed with the intention of printing counterfeit money.
The coworker attempted to contact Allison Mayer, Perry’s wife, throughout December after realizing he was serious. On Dec. 29, the coworker met with Mayer at a Carmel Starbucks where he gave Mayer the cell phone with the recordings. The next day, Mayer contacted the Carmel Police Department.
Perry and Mayer had been together for 12 years and married since December 2009. Perry moved out in March 2012 and filed for divorce in May 2012.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. May 23 at Hamilton County Superior Court 3.
