Woman Convicted in Infamous 1999 Murder of Love Rival Wins New Trial More Than 20 Years Later

A 73-year-old woman from New Mexico, Linda Henning, has been granted a retrial nearly 24 years after her conviction for the murder of her boyfriend’s estranged wife, Girly Chew Hossencofft. The case remains infamous not only for its tragic circumstances but also for the bizarre claims made during the investigation and trial. Hossencofft’s body has never been located.

Henning was initially sentenced to 73.5 years in prison after being convicted on charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping in October 2002. Judge Cindy Leos of the Second Judicial District ruled that Henning was mentally incompetent during the original trial, stating that severe delusions significantly hindered her ability to engage in her defence. This decision was made public following a hearing on October 19.

According to Judge Leos, Henning was unable to rationally assist with her defence due to her belief that she had no involvement in the alleged crime. “How can she rationally assist her attorney, given that she didn’t even think she was involved in the crime?” the judge posed, highlighting the gravity of the mental health concerns surrounding the case.

The original prosecution contended that Henning conspired with her then-boyfriend, Diazien Hossencofft, to kill his estranged wife, who had recently left their home and initiated divorce proceedings. Investigators found multiple items, including a tarp and clothing bearing Hossencofft’s DNA, near a highway in Magdalena, New Mexico, though her remains have never been recovered.

The case gained national attention not only for its violent subject matter but also due to the numerous extraordinary beliefs expressed by Henning during the trial. Reports cited her claims of seeing reptilian symbols on a freeway, which she believed marked portals through time and space. Additionally, she contended that both she and Hossencofft transformed into cat-like creatures during intimate moments.

During the retrial hearing, Judge Leos referenced psychiatric evaluations that indicated Henning struggled with severe mental disorders, which prevented her from comprehending the legal process. She noted that Henning was convinced that the prosecution’s motives were linked to a desire to recover mysterious “golden discs” that she believed herself to possess.

Nicholas Hart, Henning’s current attorney, pointed out that her previous lawyer, Gary Mitchell, failed to assess her mental competency adequately due to concerns over the impact on their relationship. Conversely, Mitchell defended his actions, asserting that he had consulted a neuropsychologist who deemed Henning fit to stand trial, a conclusion echoed by a psychologist for the prosecution.

Despite these disputes, Mitchell welcomed the judge’s decision for a new trial, insisting that Henning was innocent and asserting that her conviction was unwarranted. “She should have never been convicted; she did not commit the homicide, nor did she really help with it,” he stated.

Diazien Hossencofft, who pleaded no contest to charges including murder and kidnapping in 2002, is currently serving a life sentence plus an additional 60 years in a New Mexico prison. Meanwhile, Henning has remained incarcerated since her arrest in late 1999.

As legal proceedings advance, a hearing has been scheduled for October 22 to discuss whether Henning may be released while awaiting her new trial. Judge Leos has instructed prosecutors to prepare a pretrial detention motion if they wish to deny her release. The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office has confirmed that it is currently reviewing the details of the case.

The unfolding of this case not only raises critical questions surrounding justice and mental health but also sheds light on the complexities involved in a legal system that must navigate the often murky waters of mental competency. As the retrial approaches, all eyes will be on the courtroom and the proceedings that could change the course of Henning’s life after nearly a quarter-century.