Posted on 11/03/2005 4:45:26 PM PST by Graybeard58
IOWA CITY, IA - A man charged with first-degree kidnapping, and currently on a hunger strike at the Johnson County Jail, told a judge this morning he'd rather die then spend the rest of his life in prison.
"I'm really scared about going to prison," said John A. Wenman, 28, who began refusing meals Oct. 23. He did eat a vegetarian meal last night, however, he said.
Wenman said he does not plan to eat again.
"Do you want to die?" asked Assistant Johnson County Attorney Andy Chappell.
"Or spend the rest of my life in prison? Yes," Wenman said.
Jailers are asking Judge Patrick Grady to issue an order that would allow them to force feed Wenman. Lawyers today said they did not know how such a feeding would actually be done, but it would likely take place at a hospital. Grady did not indicate when he might make a decision.
Aside from last night's meal, Wenman said he has been subsisting on two four-ounce glasses of water per day that he takes with his anti-anxiety medication, Xanax.
Wenman is charged with first-degree kidnapping and second-offense domestic abuse (assault causing injury) in connection with a reported July 2004 rape on North Dodge Street in Iowa City.
It's not known if Wenman's hunger strike will delay his trial, which is currently scheduled for Jan. 23, said Assistant Johnson County Attorney Victoria Cole.
"I hope not," Cole said.
The kidnapping charge carries a mandatory life sentence, a fact that Wenman told jailers prompted him to quit eating.
WTF?
It is only humane to grant this mans last request.
well, it's not like vegetarian food is real food.
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