NEWS

Prosecutor to seek death in alleged antifreeze killings

Stephen Herzog
SHERZOG@NEWS-LEADER.COM

In the case of a Springfield woman accused of killing her husband and son with antifreeze, prosecutors filed notice today that they intend to seek the death penalty.

No such filing was made in the case of Diane Staudte's daughter Rachel, who faces the same charges as her mother.

Authorities say the two poisoned their family members by putting antifreeze in their drinks. Another daughter, Sarah Staudte, was hospitalized because of antifreeze poisoning, officials say.

Prosecuting Attorney Dan Patterson's filing indicates he believes Diane Staudte's role rises to the level of a death penalty offense for three reasons.

The filing says Diane Staudte committed murder in order to receive money or for other financial gain, caused or directed another person to commit murder, and that the alleged crime was "outrageously or wantonly vile, horrible or inhuman in that it involved, torture, or depravity of mind."

Diane Staudte's husband, Mark, was the first to die in 2012. Diane told authorities her husband had been sick but refused to go to the hospital. Officials initially found no evidence of foul play.

Five months later, son Shaun Staudte was found dead. Police received an anonymous tip that Diane Staudte might have killed him. She again told officials he had been sick. After an autopsy was performed, his death was originally determined to be natural.

In June, another anonymous call to police urged them to investigate why Sarah Staudte suddenly became ill and why her brother and father had died.

Less than two weeks later, Diane and Rachel Staudte were each charged with two counts of first-degree murder, and one count each of first-degree assault and armed criminal action.

During a pre-trial conference today, both women had their hearings rescheduled, but only Diane's hearing included the death penalty notice.

Diane Staudte's hearing was rescheduled to May 28, and Rachel Staudte's was set for June 24.