Jurors watch video confession in correction officer’s murder trial

Jurors in Everett are watching the video confession of an inmate charged with murdering prison officer Jayme Biendl.

Byron Scherf, 54, admitted to killing Biendl, 34, inside the chapel at the Washington State Prison in Monroe shortly after the January 2011 murder.

Minutes after the recordings start, Scherf admitted to strangling Biendl. Scherf refused to explain what Biendl said to him to set him off, but said it was the final straw “of years and years of crap.”

At first, Scherf said he had planned to beat up Biendl, but said he sat and stewed over something the prison officer said to him. Scherf said he became very angry and soon he knew he was going to kill her.

Prosecutors allege Scherf planned to be alone with Biendl. When she fought back after he attacked, he grabbed an electrical cable, wrapped it three times around her neck, and strangled her.

Scherf claims prosecutors refused to make good on privileges he said they promised him in exchange for the confession and is fighting charges.

His defense attorneys claimed in opening statements Scherf didn’t plan the strangulation and killed Biendl after she said something to provoke him and his anger escalated out of control.

If convicted, Scherf could be put to death. That ultimate punishment is something the convicted rapist told the police and prosecutors early in the investigation that he deserved.

KIRO Radio’s Tim Haeck contributed to this report.