Teens sentenced to three years in juvenile detention for killing photographer Victoria Schafer
Oct 19, 2020
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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In September last year, photographer Victoria Schafer was tragically killed when she was struck by a falling tree branch during a photoshoot. The incident occurred in Hills State Park, and two teenagers involved pleaded guilty and they were charged with involuntary manslaughter. They have now been sentenced, and they both got three years in juvenile detention.
To remind you, Victoria Schafer (44) tragically lost her life while photographing six seniors. The two teenagers pushed a 74-pound log off the cliff above her, and she was pronounced dead on the spot. Shortly after the tragedy, the young boys were taken into custody. They both confessed what they did, and according to earlier reports, they were to be tried as adults. Considering that they were charged with murder, involuntary manslaughter, felonious assault, and reckless homicide, they could have potentially spent a life in jail.
However, the punishment is milder than what was originally expected. In September this year, Jaden W. Churchheus (17) pleaded guilty in Hocking County Common Pleas Court to a charge of involuntary manslaughter. Murder and reckless homicide charges were dropped as part of the plea agreement. Jordan Buckley is another teenager who was involved in the incident. He was expected to enter a plea under a similar agreement, and that’s exactly what happened.
Both Buckley and Churchheus gave their statements during the hearing and apologized to Victoria Schafer’s family.
Perhaps the most powerful moment of the day. Fritz Schafer describes the last night he had with his wife and then accepts the apology Jaden Churchheus offered at the last hearing. #10TV pic.twitter.com/CybozHd5Q6
— Brittany Bailey (@BrittBaileyTV) October 16, 2020
According to 10 WBNS, Buckley and Churchheus were sentenced to “up to three years” in juvenile detention on Friday. In other words, this sentence is a minimum. The same source notes that, if there are any issues in the juvenile detention, they could face between three to four and a half years in an adult prison.
[via 10 WBNS]
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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7 responses to “Teens sentenced to three years in juvenile detention for killing photographer Victoria Schafer”
Looks like her life didn’t matter to the shit stain judge
Justice ????
Wow they got off suuuuuper easy.
What a bunch of crap. They shoulda gotten at least 15 years each.
You have to bear in mind that the prosecutor had to weigh what he or she could prove beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury. For murder, that would mean proving that they intended to kill her. Involuntary manslaughter sounds like the right charge, and the three-year sentence is because they are still in the juvenile system. But it doesn’t mean that they can get back on with their lives when they get out. As convicted felons, they will likely be barred from voting, owning firearms, have to submit their DNA to a database of known criminals and their job and educational prospects will be curtailed because of their criminal records. Some professions will be closed off to them while other employers may not want to take a chance with them. Justice is not about vengeance. Vengeance demands more than the pound of flesh and doesn’t care how much blood comes with it.
We just don’t have a justice system for the victims anymore. We are not held accountable for our actions and that is the issue we see with the young today.
Sentenced “up to 3 years” means maximum, not minimum. It only becomes more if there are issues in juvi.