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Prosecutor won’t seek death in Caldwell murder case; preliminary hearing postponed

Kristin Rodine - krodine@idahostatesman.com

Published: 07/02/09


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The Caldwell woman accused of murdering her roommate June 19 will have a preliminary hearing July 17, and the Canyon County prosecutor will not seek the death penalty in her case.

Sherryl Lynn Sasenbery, 45, appeared in court for the hearing Thursday, but public defender Heidi Koonce asked for and received a continuance to give them more time to go over the evidence in the case. Sasenbery waived her right to have a preliminary hearing within 14 days of her arrest.

Sasenbery is charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of Walter Lisenbee, 66, at their home on Arthur Street near the Canyon County Courthouse.

She told investigators Lisenbee attacked her and she struck back in self-defense, but investigators and a doctor found no injuries on Sasenbery or other indications to support her story, according to court records. Instead, prosecutors see a motive in other statements she made – that she feared Lisenbee was leaving her and taking all of her money.

Sasenbery called 911 shortly before 5 a.m. June 18, saying she killed her boyfriend after he attacked her. Lisenbee was found naked in the bathtub with numerous stab wounds and a massive knife wound across his neck that severed his esophagus. A bloody kitchen knife with a 7-inch blade was found in the bathroom sink, according to court records.

Canyon County Prosecutor John Bujak said the facts of the case support the premeditated murder charge, but he will not seek the death penalty. If convicted of first-degree murder, Sasenbery could face a maximum term of life in prison.

Kristin Rodine: 377-6447

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