EVERETT, Wash. (AP) — One of the three Washington state prison guards fired after the slaying of corrections officer Jayme Biendl was away from his post during the attack, and officials still don’t know where he was.
The officer was supposed to be watching inmates as they filed out of the Monroe Correctional Facility’s prison chapel on Jan. 29. In his absence, inmate Byron Scherf was able to re-enter the chapel where he’s accused of strangling Biendl.
Documents released at the request of The Daily Herald (http://is.gd/ocE8gW ) show that officials believe the guard was still on prison grounds. He says he was helping with pat-down searches and talked with two other guards, but neither remembers seeing him.
Prison Superintendent Scott Frakes wouldn’t speculate on whether the officer shares responsibility for Biendl’s death.
