Two teens to be tried as adults for murder in park death
LOGAN, Ohio — A juvenile judge says two teenagers will be tried for murder as adults in the death of a Chillicothe woman, killed by a falling log at Old Man’s Cave State Park, a log that prosecutors said was tossed by the two 16 year-olds. Jaden Churchheus and Jordan Buckley had separate hearings, but the judge’s decision was the same in both and now the teenagers are being held on a $100,000 bond.
Victoria Schafer was killed when the 75-pound piece of wood hit her. She was taking senior portraits at the park that day.
The two hearings today featured a witness that changed her testimony between the morning and afternoon sessions. A teen who was with Churchheus and Buckley first testified in the morning hearing that one of the two threw the log over a cliff, but couldn’t remember which. But in the afternoon hearing, she said Churchheus did it.
Prosecutors however said it doesn’t matter which of the pair actually threw the log.
“I would say no, because of what we know so far is that they both participated,” said Benjamin Fickel, Hocking County prosecutor.
Still, defense attorneys said they believe the changing stories will ultimately help their clients.
“The only thing they can agree on is, was this intentional?” said Ryan Shepler, the attorney for Churchheus. “And the answer is overwhelmingly ‘no.’ The prosecution can not prove murder.”
Bob Toy, defense attorney for Buckley was even more confident.
“I think at any jury trial in the adult system my client’s going to be acquitted, no ifs, ands or buts about that,” he said.
