Death penalty sought in murder of corrections officer
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EVERETT, Wash. -- Snohomish County Prosecutor Mark Roe says he will seek the death penalty for Byron Scherf, who is accused of murdering Monroe prison Corrections Officer Jayme Biendl.
In announcing his decision Tuesday, Roe said jurors "should have the opportunity of imposing the ultimate punishment if they see fit."
Scherf, 52, is already serving a life sentence as a three-strikes convicted rapist. He has been charged with aggravated murder in the Jan. 29 strangling of Biendl in the chapel at the prison.
According to court documents, Scherf confessed to killing Biendl and said he wants the death penalty.
"I took her life and I think I should forfeit mine," Scherf allegedly told authorities.
"If I get a life sentence and she's dead, then there's no punishment attached to it because I already have a life sentence," Scherf told detectives on Feb. 9, according to the documents.
Scherf told detectives that Biendl said something that made him angry as they were talking in the prison chapel.
"I got to the point where I knew I was going to kill her," he told detectives, according to a transcript of the interview.
Scherf said he waited for everyone else to leave the chapel area, then attacked and strangled Biendl with an amplifier cord.
Her body was found more than an hour later.
Roe said he met Monday night with Biendl's family and they believe the death penalty should be sought.
A jury also will be asked to consider mitigating information in a death penalty decision if Scherf is found guilty.
Federal investigators from the National Institute of Corrections spent a week last month studying the prison's policies and procedures in the wake of Biendl's death.
The team is expected to give the Washington State Department of Corrections a report with recommendations by March 19.
In announcing his decision Tuesday, Roe said jurors "should have the opportunity of imposing the ultimate punishment if they see fit."
Scherf, 52, is already serving a life sentence as a three-strikes convicted rapist. He has been charged with aggravated murder in the Jan. 29 strangling of Biendl in the chapel at the prison.
According to court documents, Scherf confessed to killing Biendl and said he wants the death penalty.
"I took her life and I think I should forfeit mine," Scherf allegedly told authorities.
"If I get a life sentence and she's dead, then there's no punishment attached to it because I already have a life sentence," Scherf told detectives on Feb. 9, according to the documents.
Scherf told detectives that Biendl said something that made him angry as they were talking in the prison chapel.
"I got to the point where I knew I was going to kill her," he told detectives, according to a transcript of the interview.
Scherf said he waited for everyone else to leave the chapel area, then attacked and strangled Biendl with an amplifier cord.
Her body was found more than an hour later.
Roe said he met Monday night with Biendl's family and they believe the death penalty should be sought.
A jury also will be asked to consider mitigating information in a death penalty decision if Scherf is found guilty.
Federal investigators from the National Institute of Corrections spent a week last month studying the prison's policies and procedures in the wake of Biendl's death.
The team is expected to give the Washington State Department of Corrections a report with recommendations by March 19.
