Armin Wand III sentenced to three consecutive life sentences for killing his children in Argyle fire

[undeterred]

Source: Wisconsin State Journal

DARLINGTON -- An Argyle man who prosecutors say has shown no remorse after killing three of his children in a house fire last September was sentenced Wednesday to three consecutive life sentences with no chance of parole. Armin Wand III, 33, received the maximum sentence from Green County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Vale on each count he faced, including 40 years on an arson charge, 60 years on an attempted homicide charge and 40 years for felony murder for the death of the fetus his wife was carrying.

An emotional hearing at the Lafayette County Courthouse included the first public statement about the case by Wand’s wife, Sharon Wand, who was badly burned in the fire and appeared in the gallery in a wheelchair. She did not speak in court but wept as her statement was read by Jennifer Rhodes, a victim services specialist with the Department of Justice.

In the statement, Sharon Wand said her husband did the worst thing someone can do to a mother: take away her children. “When you close your eyes at night, alone in your cell, may the only sound you hear be the crying of your sons, begging for help, dying in pain,” she said. “May you never forget their cries as you stood by and did nothing. May those cries haunt you every day for the rest of your life.”

State Assistant Attorney General Roy Korte, who prosecuted the case, said Armin Wand was a psychopath who has shown no remorse since the killings and is a danger to society. Wand showed no emotion throughout the 90-minute hearing. Wand pleaded guilty in February to first-degree intentional homicide counts related to the Sept. 7 fire that killed his sons Allen Wand, 7; Jeffery Wand, 5; and Joseph Wand, 3. Sharon Wand was badly burned in the fire, and the couple's daughter, 2-year-old Jessica, was the lone sibling to survive.



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There are no words for the horror of this crime. When a neighbor rescued his daughter, he tried to take her and put her back in the burning house. He did it so he could get insurance money and start a new life.

[Liberal_in_LA]

1. I remember this crime. Details below

Armin Wand III told the agents he wanted to collect the life insurance policies on his wife and children. He was tired of his family living from check to check and listening to his wife complain about wanting more money, the complaint said.

He added that his wife was contemplating divorce and he wanted a fresh start, according to the complaint.

Jeremy Wand told agents his brother offered to pay him $300 from the insurance payout if he helped set the fire, the complaint said.

Jeremy Wand went to his brother's house just before midnight Thursday. Sharon Wand and her children were sleeping. She and Joseph were in the living room, Jessica was in a bedroom and Allen and Jeffrey in another bedroom.

Armin Wand III and his brother set fire to crumpled up sheets of paper and placed them under the futon that Sharon Wand was sleeping on. They also placed the papers near a TV and computer in the living room, hoping the fire would appear electrical, the complaint said.

Jeremy Wand then used a lighter to set fire to the couch Joseph was on, Armin Wand III told the agents. The father told his brother to lock Allen and Jeffrey in their room from the outside, the complaint said.

The boys' bodies were later found together on the bedroom floor.

Sharon Wand woke up to discover she was on fire. Armin Wand III told agents he tried to throw a glass of water on her and then ran outside to join Jeremy Wand.

The woman emerged from the home with Jessica in her arms. She told Armin Wand III to hold the girl and that Joseph was inside the house on fire.

Armin Wand III responded by telling his wife to move the family's mini-van away from the house. While she was moving the van, Armin Wand III took Jessica to a broken bedroom window, held her up with both hands and was about to put her back in the house before a woman stopped him, the complaint said.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/12/armin-wand-fire-kill-family_n_1876882.html

[undeterred]

2. Thats right, a neighbor stopped him.

So they knew from that night that by his behavior that something didn't add up. Its incomprehensible that a father could do this to his children. And the children's uncle went along with this for the promise of $300.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

3. ... and the fate of brother Jeremy Wand?

Armin on left, 32, ... what a hideous face. Brother Jeremy on right, 18:

[undeterred]

4. Being tried separately.

Armin Wand pled guilty and will testify against his brother Jeremy, who doesn't stand much of a chance.

[awoke_in_2003]

5. Good.