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A love triangle almost turned deadly in Madras last year, when a couple allegedly “set up” a woman’s ex-boyfriend and were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, according to police and court records

The couple was recently sentenced to five years each in prison after pleading guilty to less serious crimes.

Wesley James Teeman of Pendleton and Leminnie Wilma Picard of Warm Springs were dating in August 2023 when they were arrested on suspicion of attempting to murder Robert Howe, Picard’s ex-boyfriend, according to court records. They were both indicted by a grand jury in Jefferson County Circuit Court as co-defendants in September.

Picard, 38, pleaded guilty to first-degree assault on June 13 and must pay Howe roughly $1,200 in restitution. She avoided attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, unlawful use of a weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm charges.

Teeman, 36, pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a weapon, a gun, on Monday. Charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, criminal conspiracy and being a felon in possession of a firearm were dropped.

Around 4 a.m. Aug. 25, Warm Springs Police notified the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office of a shooting that had taken place at the Pelton Wildlife Overlook, which is located off of U.S. Highway 26 between Madras and Warm Springs, according to a 12-page probable cause affidavit written by Stephen Winthrow, a sheriff’s office deputy.

Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies arrived at the scene to find only two spent bullet casings, Winthrow wrote.

Howe later told police that Picard, his ex-girlfriend, had called him to meet for a sexual encounter, but she didn’t show up at the overlook. Instead Howe saw a black two-door car creep into the parking lot. It was a car he knew belonged to Teeman, Picard’s boyfriend at the time, Winthrow wrote.

Howe watched Teeman get out of the car, so he started to drive out of the overlook parking lot. Teeman allegedly began shooting at Howe’s maroon Honda CRV.

Police found two 9 mm bullet casings in the overlook parking lot. Warm Springs Police Officer Alliayah Lawson reported there was at least one bullet hole in Howe’s car, Winthrow said.

Teeman was initially arrested Aug. 26, and Picard wasn’t arrested until May.

Jefferson County District Attorney Steve Leriche said the couple’s sentences were the outcome his office was hoping for.