NEWS

Buckner pleads not guilty to Hudson murder charges

Courtney Day
Reporter

MANSFIELD - Linda Buckner, one of the people charged in connection with the death of Patsy Hudson, has been indicted on new murder charges and pleaded not guilty to those and other charges Tuesday.

Buckner, 58, previously faced several burglary and robbery charges in connection with Hudson's July 2015 disappearance and death, but a grand jury indicted her earlier this month on new charges including aggravated murder and murder. Buckner also faces charges of  tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse and receiving stolen property.

Buckner entered not guilty pleas on all charges Tuesday via conference with magistrate Garry Dalbey, who set her bond at $250,000.

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Also appearing for an arraignment via video conference was Walter Renz, Buckner's co-defendant. Renz, 53, was reindicted this month on slightly different charges, to which he pleaded not guilty Tuesday. Renz's current charges include aggravated murder, murder, tampering with evidence identity fraud, abuse of a corpse, receiving stolen property and misuse of a credit card. His bond was set at $250,000, and he is scheduled for a jury trial next month.

Buckner and Renz were neighbors of Hudson, a 62-year-old Spring Street resident. Hudson was missing from July 2015 until February, when her remains were found at multiple sites in northern Richland County.

Richland County Prosecutor Bambi Couch Page previously called the death of Hudson "among the worst" crimes she has ever seen.

ceday@gannett.com

419-521-7220

Twitter: @courtneydaynj

Linda Buckner was arranged at the Richland County Common Pleas Court via  video conferencing.
Patsy Hudson