By Beth Defalco, The Associated Press
PHOENIX -- Defending himself against charges stemming from a 2004 prison hostage standoff, an inmate told jurors Monday he participated in the takeover because he wanted to transfer to another lockup closer to his family in Michigan.
Prison officials agreed to transfer convicted armed robber Ricky Wassenaar to a prison in Wisconsin in a deal that ended the standoff at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Lewis on Feb. 1, 2004.
During a rambling opening statement, Wassenaar said the case would shed light on what he termed a troubled prison system. “It might change a fading, inept Department of Corrections into a department that actually corrects,” he said.
Wassenaar was one of two inmates who took two correctional officers hostage Jan. 18, 2004, at the prison in Buckeye. They released a male guard after a week, but held a female guard until the end of the siege; she alleged she was raped by both inmates.
Wassenaar is charged with sexual assault, kidnapping, assault and attempted murder among other crimes. The only charge he specifically denied was the rape allegation.
The female guard, Lois Fraley, who has spoken publicly about her ordeal, sat with her face in her hands during much of the opening statements.
Prosecutor Jeanette Gallagher said Wassenaar is trying to beat the escape and rape charges because a conviction means he will always be a maximum-security inmate. She said two months before the standoff, Wassenaar had lost his final legal appeal and knew prison “was going to be his home” for years.
“The defendant always has escape on his mind,” Gallagher said. “He tried to escape from Lewis on Jan. 18, 2004, and he’ trying to escape responsibility now.”
In his opening statement, Wassenaar rambled, citing Supreme Court cases _ and even giving jurors a pep talk.
“You hit the jackpot. This is the jury you want to be a part of,” Wassenaar said. “All of you are looking at me and already looking for the truth. I love that.”
Inmate Steven Coy pleaded guilty last year to all charges stemming from the standoff and was sentenced to seven life terms.
Wassenaar’ trial is expected to last six weeks.