Tagged: Monroe Reformatory

Making headlines around the Northwest this morning:

• Did Seattle Police Violate DUI Procedures?
• Reforms at Monroe Prison After Guard's Killing
• Electronic Billboard Fight Brews in Tacoma

DUI Prosecutions in Seattle on Hold

Some drunk driving cases have been suspended by City Attorney Pete Holmes while Seattle Police investigate how its DUI squad handled procedures.

On Monday, SPD admitted it is reviewing allegations procedures in the unit were not properly handled. according to The Seattle Times:

The investigation has forced the department to pull all but one member of its five-member DUI Squad from the street and assign them to desk duties, according to police.

Snohomish County Prosecutor Mark Roe says he'll seek the death penalty if Byron Scherf is convicted of aggravated murder in the death of Monroe prison Corrections Officer Jayme Biendl.

In announcing his decision Tuesday in Everett, Roe said jurors "should have the opportunity of imposing the ultimate punishment if they see fit."

Biendl was strangled Jan. 29 in the prison chapel.

We’re learning more about the Washington prison inmate charged with killing a female correctional officer in January.  Prison disciplinary records were obtained for Byron Scherf. They show two major violations, but not for hurting others.

Byron Scherf, a convicted rapist already serving a life sentence has confessed to the killing of Monroe Reformatory guard Jayme Biendl.

A public memorial procession and service for Officer Jayme Biendl, the Monroe Correctional Center guard killed two weeks ago at the prison, is expected to attract thousands of mourners in Snohomish County today. 

A motorcade will carry Biendl's body through Monroe beginning at 10:30 a.m., then along Highway 2 into Everett, culminating at the Comcast Center downtown around noon. The public memorial service is set to start at 1 p.m, 

The state Department of Corrections is changing some of its procedures in response to the killing of a female guard at the Monroe prison last weekend.

Jayme Biendl was found strangled in the prison's chapel last Saturday night. An inmate has been arrested in the killing.

Corrections Secretary Eldon Vail said Friday that prisons will immediately:

• begin counting staff members whenever an offender is missing;
• officers will begin regular check-ins on guards who serve at duty posts alone;
• conduct drills on the use of silent alarms on the hand-held radios that guards carry.

Making headlines around the Northwest this morning:

• Monroe Prison Employees Faced Previous Assault
• State Tuition Program Heading Toward Trouble?
• Pierce County Takes Stand Against All-Mail Vote

Report: Evidence Prison Guard May Have Fought Back

Investigations into the death of Officer Jayme Biendl at the Monroe Correctional Center chapel Saturday night reveal evidence of a physical struggle. The Herald of Everett reports a physical examination of the prime suspect showed signs he'd been involved in violence.

Governor Chris Gregoire has ordered flags to fly at half-staff in memory of a slain prison correctional officer. Gregoire has also initiated an outside review of the murder of Officer Jayme Biendl over the weekend.