EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The attorney for a man accused of fatally shooting a southwestern Illinois pastor in church has entered a not guilty plea on the man's behalf — despite his client's attempt to plead guilty.
Twenty-seven-year-old Terry Sedlacek appeared for a Thursday arraignment via video from his Madison County jail cell. He was indicted hours earlier on first-degree murder charges in the death of the Rev. Fred Winters.
Public defender John Rekowski entered a not guilty plea for Sedlacek.
Sedlacek, on a closed-circuit television, then spoke up and told the judge in he wanted to plead guilty.
But the judge said the previous not guilty plea would stand.
Authorities say Sedlacek killed Winters at First Baptist Church in Maryville during a March 8 service as the congregation watched in horror.
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