Prosecuting Attorney will not seek death penalty for murder suspect

Audrain County Prosecuting Attorney Jacob Shellabarger announced he will not seek the death penalty in a homicide investigation.

Richard Henry will be prosecuted for the murder charges but will not face the death penalty.

ABC 17 previously reported that Henry and Arline Diedrich were accused of killing 30-year-old Leon Wilder III of Columbia in July.

Deputies said that Wilder’s body was found on the side of the road on County Road 997, just a few miles southeast of Centralia. It was later confirmed he died of a gunshot wound.

According to public jail records, Henry is currently in the Audrain County Jail.

For more on the initial investigation, click here.