Pretrial hearing held in death of 3 Wis. sisters

By: Associated Press//November 21, 2012//

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HUDSON, Wis. (AP) – A North Dakota construction worker charged with murdering his daughters in River Falls last July has a few weeks to consider whether he will plead insanity.

At a pretrial hearing Wednesday, a judge told Aaron Schaffhausen’s attorney he has until Dec. 14 to file a motion to plead not guilty by reason of insanity. The Star Tribune reports St. Croix County Circuit Court Judge Howard Cameron also gave the defense until Dec. 28 to request a change of venue.

Schaffhausen faces three counts of first-degree intentional homicide for the deaths of 11-year-old Amara, 8-year-old Sophie and 5-year-old Cecilia. All three girls were found tucked into their beds with their throats slit.

Schaffhausen faces mandatory life in prison if convicted. The judge could grant him a chance at parole, however.

Information from: Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com

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