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]
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