Suspect in fatal ax attack near Sparta could reach plea agreement instead of going to trial

A Sparta man has pled “not guilty” to murder and attempted murder charges for an ax attack committed in June. 

Thomas Aspseter is charged with five counts, and may be trying to work out a negotiated plea in Monroe County court.

Aspseter is accused of using an ax to injure his grandmother and two other victims, killing his grandmother’s husband, Bernard Waite.  

The three victims of the attack were all between the ages of 73 and 87.

Aspseter reportedly had been told to move out of his grandmother’s home, after which he broke into the house and waited to attack them.  He reportedly shot himself in the throat with a rifle after the ax assault.

The attacks happened on June 6th just outside of Sparta.