The sentencing for the Schofield man convicted in the fatal 2019 Wausau cemetery shooting has been delayed
WAUSAU – The sentencing for a man convicted in the 2019 cemetery shooting that left one dead and two injured was postposed Thursday in Marathon County Court.
Henry V. West, 67, pleaded no contest in February to one charge of first-degree intentional homicide, two charges of attempted first-degree intentional homicide and two charges of attempted arson of a building without the owner's consent. Twelve additional charges were dismissed but read into the court record.
Prior to Thursday's sentencing hearing, Marathon County District Attorney Theresa Wetzsteon told victims and their families who were in the courtroom that West said he hadn't wanted to enter the no contest pleas to the charges and he wants new attorneys.
About one-third of the 25-30 people in the courtroom left before deputies brought in West, who was wearing a jail smock, a type of mittens, handcuffs and shackles.
Marathon County Circuit Judge Gregory Huber said he is prepared to appoint an attorney if the public defenders office can't assign a new attorney within a week.
Wetzsteon said once West has a new attorney, a decision would be made on whether to file a motion to withdraw West's pleas.
According to the criminal complaint, West opened fire Oct. 3, 2019, at Pine Grove Cemetery, the Wausau cemetery where he used to work. He killed Patty Grimm, 52, the manager of the cemetery.
A cemetery foreman for more than 20 years was shot multiple times and suffered a traumatic brain injury. The mother of a cemetery worker who was dropping off her son for the day was shot in the chest. She was treated at Aspirus Wausau Hospital and released shortly after the shooting.
West also set up a network of homemade explosives at his Schofield apartment complex, according to the criminal complaint. He set a fire at the complex and then called 911 to tell dispatchers there were flammable liquids inside and firefighters should use care, according to records.
West had been fired from his job at the cemetery years before and was facing eviction from his apartment, according to the complaint.
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Contact Karen Madden at 715-345-2245 or kmadden@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KMadden715, Instagram at @kmadden715 or Facebook at facebook.com/karen.madden.33.
This article originally appeared on Wausau Daily Herald: Schofield man's sentencing for 2019 Wausau cemetery shooting delayed
