Friday, July 16, 1999
Sidney murder suspect could get death penalty
Indictment follows week on the run
BY JANICE MORSE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SIDNEY, Ohio — A Shelby County grand jury on Thursday indicted quadruple-murder suspect Lawrence Michael Hensley on charges that carry a possible death sentence.
The grand jury deliberated for about a half hour before issuing the 10-count, 17-specification indictment, said Shelby County Prosecutor James F. Stevenson.
The indictment was issued a week after Mr. Hensley's alleged killing spree. Three teen girls were found dead in his home and his Bible study teacher was shot to death just outside the city.
After being on the run for five days, on Tuesday he allegedly fired shots that wounded a motorist on Interstate 75, fired at another Bible study teacher and held three people hostage at a Sidney gas station. A hostage negotiator persuaded him to surrender.
In connection with those incidents, he was charged with four counts of aggravated mur der, three counts of attempted aggravated murder and three counts of kidnapping.
Mr. Hensley could get the death penalty if convicted of the aggravated murder counts and their accompanying specifications. Each of the four counts carries two specifications, alleging the offense was committed while killing two or more people and the offense was committed “for the purpose of escaping detection, apprehension, trial or punishment for another offense committed by the offender.”
Mr. Stevenson wouldn't specify what those underlying offenses might be.
Sidney Police Capt. Dean Kimpel said police were still investigating possible motives for the killings.
Among the possible motives, he said, was that Mr. Hensley was paying the girls to watch him masturbate. But Capt. Kimpel emphasized no motive has yet been substantiated.
Fatal fire at seniors home overnight
Rape victim recants, frees man after 10 years
Parkers bumped by Reds game
Minors get around tattoo laws
Hot, humid, smoggy air back for weekend
Fernald payback possible
Bengals stadium mishaps minor
Stadium construction reflects more minorities
Biker couple leave drugs for Christ
Cross-dressing restaurant owner faces drug charge
Gun makers ask city suit dismissal
Heimlich: Schools, mailer no conflict
Mourners say farewell to legendary coach
Sidney murder suspect could get death penalty
State proposes paying fees via Internet, plastic
Butler airport may get new name
Couples get help improving communication, intimacy
pianists to play here for gold
Glendale native turns globe-trotter
GET TO IT
Love of the stage led to 27 years in community theater
Boone may seek alternative site for justice center
Cheviot shows its colors
Cincinnatians nervously await health care bill
College Hill teen charged in killing
Drought looms in Kentucky
Education task force calls for communication, collaboration
Federal case targets 2 Ohio creditors
Group seeks aid in sewage plant fight
Lawsuit filed against archdiocese, convicted ex-priest
Limestone mine zoning rejected
Middletown man found in street critical
Noah's Ark animals range to exotic
Silverton hire to keep tabs on town
Six make cut for Carlisle chief
Talawanda schools preparing 1-2 tax punch for Nov. ballot
Three sentenced in possession of stolen weapons traffic case
TRISTATE DIGEST
Truckers battle for rest area parking
Woman to do service time in crash that killed friend
