Judge denies Maryville pastor-killer’s request for transfer to non-secure treatment facility

Sedlacek

Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced today that a man who fatally shot a Maryville pastor in 2009 during a church service has been denied a request for transfer to a non- secure treatment facility.

Following a hearing Wednesday, Circuit Judge Kyle Napp denied a request from Terry J. Sedlacek to be transferred from Alton Mental Health Center to a non-secure treatment center. The judge also denied Sedlacek’s alternative request – to be given increased privileges at Alton Mental Health, such as supervised off-grounds outings.

Assistant State’s Attorney Jim Buckley and Assistant State’s Attorney Lauren Maricle argued that Sedlacek should remain at the secure treatment facility in Alton.

“It’s unfortunate that, in many cases, victims are re-traumatized during post-conviction proceedings and petitions such as this,” Haine said. “No matter how much time passes, we will always pursue justice for victims and will work to keep our communities safe from dangerous individuals.”

On March 8, 2009, Sedlacek, formerly of Troy, went into a Maryville church and began firing shots. An initial shot clipped a Bible held by the church’s pastor, the Rev. Fred Winters, causing it to spray like confetti. Another shot fatally struck Pastor Winters. Church members managed to subdue Sedlacek after his gun jammed, but two of them suffered stab wounds from Sedlacek.

In 2015, a judge found Sedlacek not guilty by reason of insanity and ordered that Sedlacek be held at a secure mental-health facility operated by the Illinois Department of Human Services.

In January, Sedlacek’s attorney filed a petition asking that he be transferred to a non-secure facility or be granted increased privileges at Alton Mental Health Center. The petition argued that a non-secure facility would be a suitable setting for Sedlacek.

As recently as 2017, Sedlacek was still hearing voices, and barking and growling, according to DHS records. At the hearing Wednesday, Buckley and Maricle argued that Sedlacek is still having episodes of psychosis, hearing voices and making strange noises. Sedlacek, now 43, remains a threat to the public, the prosecutors argued.

Pastor Winters’ widow, Cindy Winters, provided a victim-impact letter to the Court.

“We hurt, but we do feel comfort in knowing that the man who ended his life is confined, getting appropriate treatment and not a threat to us and to anyone else,” she wrote. “We take comfort in knowing that the one who ended Fred’s life and attempted to end many others, is not a threat to our community, or to any other family.”

Maryville Police Chief Tony Manley also provided a letter to the Court.

“Allowing Mr. Sedlack’s release would not only open these wounds but also convey a message of diminished regard for the lasting suffering of the victims’ loved ones,” Chief Manley wrote. “I was personally present in the aftermath of this tragedy and witnessed firsthand the devastating effect it had on the congregation, the community at large and the officers who responded. I believe that Mr. Sedlack’s release would pose a significant danger — not only to the community but also to the peace of mind and well-being of those still trying to heal.”

Haine commended Buckley and Maricle.

“These experienced prosecutors have a deep knowledge of this case. They and all of the other members of our team work every day to put dangerous people behind bars and keep them there,” Haine said.