Bio

Michael William Lenz was born on February 27, 1964, in San Diego, California. His family later moved to northern Virginia. He left high school but earned a GED at age 17. Lenz had a criminal record for burglary and weapon possession. In 1993, he was sentenced to more than 29 years in prison and sent to Augusta Correctional Center.

While in prison, Lenz became involved in Asatru, a religion based on Norse beliefs. He helped form an inmate group called Ironwood Kindred. He later had conflict with fellow inmate Brent Parker over the group. Lenz claimed Parker had threatened him and disrespected the religion. Prosecutors said Lenz planned the attack and intentionally killed Parker during a religious meeting.

Murder story

On January 16, 2000, Michael William Lenz attended a meeting of Ironwood Kindred at Augusta Correctional Center. The group practiced Asatru, a religion based on Norse gods and traditions. Brent Parker, Jeffrey Remington, and three other inmates were also present. A correctional officer was stationed outside the meeting room.

During the meeting, Lenz called Parker toward the altar. Lenz later testified that he confronted Parker over their conflict inside the religious group. He admitted that he had planned to kill Parker that day. After a brief exchange, Lenz pulled out a knife and stabbed Parker. Remington joined the attack.

Three other inmates ran out of the room and alerted the guard, saying that Parker was being stabbed. The officer looked inside and saw Lenz and Remington stabbing Parker while Parker lay on the floor. The guard ordered them to stop, but they continued until more officers arrived.

Parker suffered 68 stab wounds and one cut wound. The wounds struck his chest, abdomen, back, arm, lung, and liver. He was taken to Augusta Medical Center but died from his injuries.

Lenz claimed the killing was tied to religious reasons and threats Parker had made against him. He said Parker had disrespected Asatru and had threatened to kill him. Prosecutors argued that the killing was deliberate and brutal, and the jury convicted Lenz of capital murder.

Lenz was sentenced to death. Remington was also sentenced to death for Parker’s murder, but he died by suicide on death row in 2004. Lenz’s appeals continued until 2006, when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to stop the execution. He was executed by lethal injection on July 27, 2006.