Zan pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity on Sept. 16. She is charged with eight felonies: three counts of complicity to commit aggravated murder, two counts of complicity to commit aggravated robbery, two counts of tampering with evidence and one count of obstructing justice.
To be found insane, defendants must have a mental defect or illness that prevents them from knowing what they did was wrong at the time they did it.
Competency relates to the defendant’s current ability to understand the legal proceedings and to assist her attorney in preparing a defense.
All of the charges against Zan stem from the Oct. 17, 2009, slaying of Charles Zan II, 45, of Miamisburg. Pandora Zan was arrested April 27 at her King Avenue apartment in Dayton.
Her son, Cody Wayne Henderson, 19, of Madison Twp. in Butler County, is charged with aggravated murder. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.
Pandora Zan called 911 to report a break-in at the couple’s apartment at the Guest Suites in Miamisburg. Authorities said Charles Zan died from more than 40 stab wounds.
Henderson was arrested within days of Zan’s death. Mother and son remain in the Regional Montgomery County Jail.
Contact this reporter at
(937) 225-2057 or lgrieco
@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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