Published: Sunday, January 29, 2012
Man accused in killing remains in county jail, awaiting trial
EVERETT -- A year after Monroe corrections officer Jayme Biendl was found slain in the prison chapel, the man accused of strangling her remains in the Snohomish County Jail awaiting trial.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Byron Scherf, 53.
The convicted rapist had been locked up at the Washington State Reformatory without a chance of release for a series of violent attacks on women. State prison documents released last year indicated that at one point prison officials considered Scherf a particular danger to prison staff, particularly female personnel.
His trial is scheduled to begin in September.
During the past year, Scherf's lawyers have filed numerous motions in an effort to spare their client's life. They have argued that prosecutors bungled how they notified Scherf that they would seek death penalty. They asked for a new judge and argued that Scherf's alleged confession shouldn't be released to the media.
Lawyers from both sides are expected to return to court next month for what are expected to be lengthy arguments over whether jurors should be allowed to hear Scherf's alleged confession to sheriff's detectives. There likely will be testimony from corrections officers and detectives.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Byron Scherf, 53.
The convicted rapist had been locked up at the Washington State Reformatory without a chance of release for a series of violent attacks on women. State prison documents released last year indicated that at one point prison officials considered Scherf a particular danger to prison staff, particularly female personnel.
His trial is scheduled to begin in September.
During the past year, Scherf's lawyers have filed numerous motions in an effort to spare their client's life. They have argued that prosecutors bungled how they notified Scherf that they would seek death penalty. They asked for a new judge and argued that Scherf's alleged confession shouldn't be released to the media.
Lawyers from both sides are expected to return to court next month for what are expected to be lengthy arguments over whether jurors should be allowed to hear Scherf's alleged confession to sheriff's detectives. There likely will be testimony from corrections officers and detectives.
Story tags »
• Everett • Monroe • Homicide • ProsecutionRelated
- A year after Jayme Biendl's death, her family sees reminders of her everywhere 1/29/12
- Scherf’s trial for murder delayed to 2013 5/24/12
- Scherf stopped talking when told no snacks, he says 5/7/12
- Jayme Biendl among officers receiving top state honor 5/4/12
- Scherf's video statement released in Biendl killing 4/13/12
- Scherf pretrial hearing continued to next month 4/12/12
- Judge steps aside in Biendl murder case 3/23/12
- Scherf’s lawyers again request judge step down 3/22/12
- Upgrade planned at prison chapel where officer was killed 2/27/12
- Judge again rebukes lawyers who want him to step down from Byron Scherf’s trial 2/11/12
- Lawyers for man accused in Biendl slaying question judge's fairness 2/6/12
- Monroe 5K run honors Jayme Biendl's life 1/30/12
- A year after Jayme Biendl's death, her family sees reminders of her everywhere 1/29/12
- Judge scolds lawyers for inmate accused of killing Monroe corrections officer 1/28/12
- Run will honor memory of slain Monroe corrections officer 1/27/12
- As Biendl murder case unfolds, fundamental questions persist 1/11/12
- Prison officials believe dereliction of duty set stage for Biendl's death 1/8/12
- Scherf's medical records won't be suppressed 12/10/11
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