GALLATIN, Tenn. — A young man from Tennessee has been sentenced to 42 years in prison after pleading guilty to a series of violent offenses, including an attempted murder plot that spanned from tracking his former spouse to committing a stabbing outside a Walmart.
Larry Wayne Cole, 21, entered his pleas for charges of attempted first-degree murder and solicitation for another murder while incarcerated. His sentence was handed down on August 4 by Judge Jennifer Nichols in Sumner County, signaling the conclusion of a case involving premeditated violence and a disturbing plan fueled by betrayal.
The incident that led to Cole’s arrest occurred on July 30, 2024, when he reportedly used a GPS tracking device to monitor the movements of his former spouse, Daniel Cole. On that day, prosecutors say Larry tracked Daniel to a Walmart parking lot in Gallatin, where he ambushed and stabbed him multiple times. Despite the severity of the attack, Daniel survived and was treated for his injuries, which were described as stable at the time.
Following the attack, authorities launched a manhunt for Larry Cole, who fled in a distinctive Volkswagen Jetta. The pursuit culminated several days later when U.S. Border Patrol agents captured him in Maine, where he had traveled more than 1,000 miles and was believed to be attempting to cross into Canada.
While awaiting trial in 2025, Cole’s legal troubles escalated further when he solicited another inmate to carry out a plan to murder both his former spouse and Daniel’s family. The inmate, however, alerted authorities instead of carrying out the request, allowing law enforcement to intervene before any harm could be done. Physical evidence found during the investigation included maps and coded messages that the inmate provided to aid in the prosecution.
The violent nature of Cole’s actions extended beyond the planned murder. While in custody, he assaulted two correctional officers, leading to additional charges that contributed to his eligibility for a lengthy prison term. The exact details surrounding these assaults, including the extent of the officers’ injuries, remain undisclosed, but they played a significant role in the overall case against him.
The case evolved from an initial focus on the stabbing incident to a broader investigation that uncovered a second murder scheme. As time passed, the narrative of Daniel Cole’s relationship with Larry Cole also changed, with prosecutors eventually characterizing Daniel as Larry’s former spouse, underscoring the complexities surrounding their relationship.
Despite the grave nature of his offenses, Cole’s guilty pleas helped expedite the judicial process, sparing the victims and the public the trauma of a trial. District Attorney Thomas Dean commended the actions of the inmate who reported the solicitation, as well as the cooperation of the victim and his family throughout the investigative proceedings.
Cole’s 42-year sentence marks the end of a troubling chapter that began with domestic violence and spiraled into a more significant criminal undertaking. Currently, there are no indications of potential parole or a reduction in his sentence, and the state has not disclosed further developments regarding others who might have been involved in the plot conceived during his incarceration.
Larry Cole will serve his sentence in the Tennessee Department of Correction, a decision that reflects the seriousness of his attempts to inflict harm and the ongoing impact of his actions on the victims involved. The outcome of this case highlights the importance of vigilance within the judicial system in addressing domestic violence and the dangers it can escalate into if left unchecked.