PHOENIX – An inmate who took two guards captive in a watchtower last year in one of the nation's longest prison hostage standoffs was convicted Wednesday on 19 charges, including sexual assault and aggravated assault.
Ricky Wassenaar, 42, was convicted of kidnapping, aggravated assault and sexual assault against the female guard, who was held hostage for 15 days. He was acquitted on one count, attempted murder.
Following the reading of the verdicts in Maricopa County Superior Court, Wassenaar repeatedly said, "worst verdicts I ever heard." During the trial, he had particularly disputed the claims of sexual assault made by guard Lois Fraley.
Fraley, who has gone public with her story, had her head down during much of the count-by-count verdict announcement, but she grinned when the jury foreman read the sexual assault verdict.
"He is out of my mind. He is not holding me hostage anymore," Fraley said afterward. She said she plans to go back to being a correctional officer.
Wassenaar is scheduled to be sentenced June 3. He faces up to 16 life sentences.
The hostage standoff began Jan. 18, 2004, in a prison west of Phoenix when Wassenaar and inmate Steven Coy overpowered guards and staff in a kitchen using makeshift knives. Using an officer's uniform, Wassenaar then tricked guard Jason Auch into letting him into the armed watchtower. Coy was let in later.
Auch was released after a week, but Fraley was held for 15 days. The standoff ended after negotiators cut off electricity to the tower and agreed to transfer Coy and Wassenaar to facilities outside of Arizona.
Both guards testified during the trial. Wassenaar, who acted as his own lawyer, said before the trial that his cross-examination would leave Fraley in shreds.
But Fraley stood her ground during nearly three hours of questioning, testifying that Wassenaar sexually assaulted her shortly after he and Coy took over the watchtower. Coy also sexually assaulted her.
Wassenaar, who was serving a 28-year sentence for armed robbery and assault, told jurors during closing argument that he and Coy never intended to escape, as prosecutors charged. He said his goal was to be transferred to a prison in Michigan to be closer to his mother. He said he never intended for anyone to be injured in the takeover.
Coy pleaded guilty to kidnapping, assault, sexual assault and other charges last year. He is serving seven life terms in Maine.
