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Local News

Saturday, December 06, 2008

Shepherd admits killing Wyandot County woman
Hancock Federal Credit Union
By J. STEVEN DILLON

STAFF WRITER

UPPER SANDUSKY -- Terry D. Shepherd admitted Friday to breaking into the home of Claradell Keller in September, then choking the 78-year-old woman to death before setting her rural Wharton home on fire.

Shepherd's admission came during a hearing in Wyandot County Common Pleas Court as he changed the “not guilty” plea he entered last month to “guilty.”

The former Patterson resident will be sentenced on the aggravated murder charge by Judge Kathleen Aubry following a pre-sentence investigation.

Wyandot County Prosecutor Jonathan Miller recommended life in prison without parole, the maximum sentence, but it will be up to Aubry to decide.

While the defendant could get life in prison with parole eligibility after 20, 25 or 30 years, Miller said he believes the maximum term should be imposed.

“Considering the viciousness of the crime and the age of the victim, we believe it is the appropriate sentence,” he said.

The 40-year-old Shepherd, who has been in custody since Oct. 13, mumbled when asked by the judge to describe what he had done in committing the Keller murder.

In a brief statement, he said he entered Keller's home on the western edge of Wyandot County during a burglary late Sept. 27, then tied her up with a cord when she discovered him inside.

“She surprised me,” he said. “I surprised her.”

Shepherd said he collected several items from Keller's home, then realized he couldn't “leave her like that.”

“So I strangled and smothered her ... and put her on the bed,” he said. “Then I set the house on fire.”

Firefighters found Keller's remains in her bedroom after the fire was extinguished Sept. 28.

Shepherd lived in Hardin County but only a few miles away from Keller's home at the time of the murder. He was first linked to the crime the next month after a pickup truck connected to the disappearance of two Kenton women was found near the home of Shepherd's brother in Kenton.

Shepherd was arrested on a parole violation the same day that remains of the two women, Deborah England, 52, and Judy Kearley, 57, were found in the rubble of a burned, abandoned building near Roundhead, west of Kenton.

Shepherd has pleaded not guilty to both those deaths, but is scheduled for a hearing next Friday in Hardin County Common Pleas Court where he is expected to plead guilty.

Judge Aubry explained in court Friday that Shepherd could receive consecutive life terms if he's also convicted of the Hardin County murders.

If he receives life without parole for even one of the murders, Shepherd would never be released from prison.

Shepherd's change of plea in the Keller homicide had been anticipated, as authorities have indicated they had a “strong case” against him. They have not disclosed if he confessed, but the fact that the case is progressing so quickly is an indication he has cooperated with the investigation.

The plea document in the Keller case suggests that prosecutors may not have sought the death penalty against Shepherd in exchange for his admission to the murder.

According to the document, if Shepherd entered a plea of guilty, prosecutors would not pursue charges of arson, robbery, burglary, grand theft, felonious assault, tampering with evidence and/or abuse of a corpse against the defendant.

Had the grand jury which considered the case found Keller's death was caused while Shepherd committed one or more “aggravating circumstance,” such as arson, robbery or burglary, he could have faced a capital murder charge and would have been subject to the death penalty upon conviction.

The plea document also calls for Shepherd to testify, if needed, should his wife, Brandi Shepherd, be indicted in the case.

While no one else has been charged in connection with the three murders, authorities have said they are still investigating reports that other people may have assisted Shepherd by disposing of property related to the crimes or by picking him up in Hancock County after Keller's vehicle, which was stolen after the murder, was set on fire and abandoned in a cornfield southeast of Findlay.

Shepherd was returned to the Multi-County Correctional Center in Marion following Friday's hearing.

Records show he has already spent about half his life in prison. First found guilty as a delinquent at the age of 14, he was prosecuted for an October 1985 crime spree in Findlay when he was 17.

Those crimes included a robbery and rape of a South Main Street woman; the theft of a handgun and gold coins from a Tiffin Avenue business; and the robbery of a motel clerk. Both robberies occurred at knifepoint.

He got 12-50 years on those convictions in 1986 and was in prison until 2003, when he was paroled. He was later returned to prison on a parole violation, and for a drug conviction in Wyandot County.

He was last released from prison in December 2007.

Dillon: 419-427-8423,

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1 Comment

Angry American wrote:
Shepherd
“ When did this once great country destroy itself? How can this person be left to live his life on my tax paying money! This person took life, property and hurt families and from what I see killed three women that were a very needed part of this community! Life in prison should not be an option! He should be put to death! After reading this I want to quit my job and no longer contribute to this legal system! ”
Saturday, December 06, 2008 4:42:35 PM
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News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

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CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.