By Shereen Siewert
The 67-year-old man who fatally shot a Wausau woman and injured two other people after rigging his apartment with explosives will be sentenced in May.
Henry “Hank” West faces a mandatory life sentence for fatally shooting 52-year-old Patty Grimm on Oct.3, 2019. West also shot William Buhse, 60, and Rosemelia Short, 70, who survived the attack at Pine Grove Cemetery, 1501 Grand Ave., Wausau. West was convicted of first-degree intentional homicide and additional felony charges last month in Marathon County Circuit Court.
Though the charge carries a mandatory life term, judges in Wisconsin have the discretion to set a potential release to extended supervision after a suspect spends at least 20 years in prison. West, if allowed to apply for extended release, would become eligible when he is 87 years old.
West faced charges of first-degree intentional homicide, 11 counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, three counts of attempted arson, one count of arson of a building without the owner’s consent, and resisting or obstructing an officer. As part of a plea agreement, Circuit Judge Greg Huber found West guilty in February of first-degree intentional homicide, two counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide and two counts of arson.
Circuit Judge Greg Huber is presiding over the case now. But in November, Huber announced he would not seek another term as judge, which means the case could be assigned to an alternate judge. Voters will choose between two candidates vying for Huber’s seat in April.
Sentencing is set for May 26.
