Friday, July 23, 1999
Man pleads innocent in Sidney deaths
Defense considers an insanity plea
BY JAMES HANNAH
The Associated Press
SIDNEY, Ohio — With the parents of victims glaring across the courtroom, a man accused of killing three teen-age girls and a Bible study teacher pleaded innocent on Thursday.
Lawrence Hensley, handcuffed and wearing an orange jail uniform, sat at the defense table with his head down as Shelby County Common Pleas Court Judge John Schmitt read the charges.
Mr. Hensley, 30, of Sidney, briefly answered questions, but otherwise did not speak during the 15-minute arraignment.
His attorney, Kort Gatterdam, said an insanity plea was being considered.
“We would like the opportunity to have some time to discuss that and see if that is a plea that could be offered in the near future,” he told the judge.
The hearing took place in a tiny courtroom inside the Shelby County jail, where Mr. Hensley has been held since surrendering July 13.
Last week, a grand jury indicted Mr. Hensley on four counts of aggravated murder, each with a possible death sentence. He also was charged with three counts of attempted aggravated murder and three counts of kidnapping.
Mr. Hensley is accused of killing neighbor Sherry Kimbler, 16, her cousin Tosha Barrett, 16, and their friend Amy Mikesell, 14, at his home July 8.
Mr. Hensley then drove to the home of Bible study teacher Brett Wildermuth, 37, shot and killed him, authorities said.
Five days later, authorities said, Mr. Hensleywounded a motorist on Interstate 75, fired shots at the home of another Bible study teacher and took three hostages at a Sidney filling station before surrendering.
On Thursday, the parents of Sherry and Tosha attended the arraignment and stared at Mr. Hensley, who did not look at them. The family members left the courtroom without speaking to reporters.
One of the hostages, Michael Brown, 28, of Sidney, also arrived at the jail, thinking he had to testify. When he learned he did not, he decided not to attend the hearing.
“I just didn't want to see him,” Mr. Brown said.
While a hostage, Mr. Brown told Mr. Hensley about being engaged, hoping to be released.
“He said as long as we cooperated that we'd live because we'd caught him on a good day,” Mr. Brown said.
Mr. Hensley talked about returning to Sidney after taking some friends who were in a cult to Florida, Mr. Brown said.
Mr. Hensley threatened that friends would kill hostages who mentioned that he had been nice during the ordeal, Mr. Brown said.
“He didn't want to be portrayed as a nice person,” Mr. Brown said.
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