Wash. inmate being tried for prison guard killing

Wash. inmate being tried for prison guard killing

EVERETT, Wash. (AP) — A Washington state inmate is standing trial on charges he strangled a corrections officer to death with an amplifier cord in the chapel.

The aggravated murder trial began today in Everett for Byron Scherf, who could face the death penalty if convicted.

Prosecutors say the convicted rapist already was serving a three-strikes life sentence when he killed Jayme Biendl in 2011 at the Monroe prison.

The Daily Herald reports an investigation led to the firing of three corrections officers. Others were demoted and disciplined.

In a confession, Scherf said he waited for other inmates to leave the chapel and ambushed Biendl as she locked up her post for the night. He said Biendl fought him and tried to call for help.