OTTAWA — A Franklin County jury convicted 35-year-old Cathy Hendry today of attempted first-degree murder for trying to set up a deadly ambush against her ex-boyfriend. Franklin County Attorney Heather Jones said it took the jury three hours and 45 minutes to convict Hendry. The jury was offered three options and Jones said the jury convicted Hendry of the most serious charge. Jones said Hendry planned to ambush her ex-boyfriend Joseph Soppe after her relationship with him went sour and he made an appointment to pick up his possessions from her home four miles south of Baldwin City.
Hendry borrowed her 14-year-old son’s 20-gauge shotgun and two shells, and asked him to show her how to load and use the shotgun. Hendry lured Soppe into the house and pointed the shotgun at him and repeatedly pulled the trigger. They struggled for the gun, which he finally wrestled away. Although he got the gun, she tried to get it back. Sentencing will be June 22. Her sentence could range from 12 years to more than 54 years in prison, Jones said.
Friday, May 11, 5 p.m.
