Shanda Sharer Murder

Shanda Sharer

The murder of Shanda Sharer shocked Indiana and the rest of the country when this twelve year old girl would be tortured and murdered by a pack of teenage girls. Melinda Loveless, Laurie Tackett, Hope Rippey and Toni Lawrence would be responsible for the brutal murder. In this article on My Crime Library we will take a closer look at the murder of Shanda Sharer.

Shanda Sharer Murder – The Beginning

Melinda Loveless was dating a girl by the name of Amanda Heavrin however like most teen relationships the two would eventually have a falling out. Amanda Heavrin would start to date Shanda Sharer and that would infuriate Melinda who began to openly threaten the twelve year old and spoke about killing her with others. Shanda Sharer parents would transfer their daughter to a Catholic school after becoming aware of her relationship with Amanda Heavrin

Shanda Sharer Murder – The Abduction

On January 10 1992 Toni Lawrence (age 15), Hope Rippey (15), and Laurie Tackett (17) would drive from Madison Indiana to New Albany Indiana to pick up Melinda Loveless (age 16). Though two of the soon to be teen killers had just met Loveless on one other occasion the group planed the murder of Shanda Sharer.

The four teen girls would drive to Jeffersonville where Shanda Sharer spent weekends with her father. The girls would ask Shanda to go out with them however the twelve year old told them she couldn’t as her father was still awake and to come back after midnight.

The four teen killers would return to Jeffersonville and would convince Shanda to come with them as Amanda was waiting for her. Once Shanda Sharer was in the car Melinda Loveless, who was hiding under a blanket, jumped out putting a knife to Shanda’s throat. The girls would taunt and threaten Sharer throughout the ride.

The car would first stop at Witch’s Castle where Shanda Sharer arms and legs were bound with rope. The girls would continue to threaten Sharer. After one of the girls set a tshirt on fire but they would quickly go back to the vehicle worried the flames would attract attention

The car would travel to a wooded area near Laurie Tacketts home. The teen killers would drag Shanda Sharer from the vehicle

Shanda Sharer Murder

shanda sharer murder

When they reached the wooded area Melinda Loveless and Laurie Tackett would drag Shanda from the car and order her to strip naked. Hope Rippey and Toni Lawrence would stay in the car. Melinda would begin to strike the twelve year old girl, struck her several times in the face with her knee and then Loveless and Tackett began to stab her in the chest. Hope Rippey would come out of the car to hold Shanda Sharer down. The teen killers would tie a rope around Shanda neck and strangled the girl until they thought she was dead The girls would put the body of the twelve year old into the trunk of the car

The girls would travel to Laurie Tackett home and went inside to clean up. While they were inside they heard Shanda Sharer scream from the trunk of the car. Laurie Tackett would grab a paring knife and would stab Shanda several more times.

Laurie Tackett an Melinda Loveless would go back out to the car and drove to a nearby town. When they opened the trunk of the car Shanda Sharer sat up, Tackett would strike the twelve year old girl with a tire iron. Loveless and Tackett would drive back to Laurie’s home.

A couple of hours later all four girls were back in the car. They drove to a gas station where they bought a large bottle of Pepsi which they dumped out and filled with gasoline. The teen killers would drive to a remote location where three of the girls (Lawrence stayed in the car) would drag Shanda Sharer out (the twelve year old was still alive)

Shanda Sharer was dropped in the field, soaked with gasoline and set on fire. After the fire burned out Loveless was not convinced Sharer was dead so she would throw more gasoline on Sharer and set her on fire again.

The girls would leave the scene and go to McDonald’s where they would laugh about the murder.

Shanda Sharer Murder – Arrests And Trials

The burned body of Shanda Sharer would be found later the same morning. Police initially thought that the murder was a drug deal gone wrong. Shana Sharer father would report his daughter missing that day

At 8:20 Hope Rippey and Toni Lawrence would go to the police station and tell the officers what had happened earlier that day.

Police would match the dental records of Shanda Sharer to the body found earlier that day and they would match.

Melinda Loveless and Toni Lawrence would be arrested the next day.

All four of the teen girls would plead guilty in order to avoid the death penalty.

toni lawrence

Toni Lawrence was sentenced to a maximum of twenty years in prison. She would be released after serving nine years

hope rippey 1

Hope Rippey would be sentenced to sixty years in prison, ten suspended and ten to be served on probation. This sentence would be reduced to thirty five years on appeal. Hope Rippey would be released after serving 12 years

hope rippey
Hope Rippey Now
laurie tackett
laurie tackett

Laurie Tackett, whose real name is Mary Laurine Tackett, was sentenced to sixty years in prison Laurie Tackett would be released in 2018

melinda loveless
Melinda Loveless

Melinda Loveless was sentenced to sixty years in prison. Melinda Loveless would be released in 2019. Loveless is currently serving her parole in Kentucky

melinda loveless 2021
Melinda Loveless 2021

Shanda Sharer Videos

Shanda Sharer Murder More News

The last of four teenagers convicted of the kidnapping, torture and murder of a 12-year-old girl has been released from prison.

Melinda Loveless, now 43, was released from the Indiana Women’s Prison in Indianapolis on Thursday, according to a spokeswoman for the Indiana Department of Correction.

In Dec. 1992, Loveless pleaded guilty to the Jan. 11, 1992 murder of 12-year-old Shanda Sharer of New Albany. 

Sharer was tortured, beaten and burned in a rural area of Jefferson County, Indiana. 

Loveless served more than 26 years in prison for murder and criminal confinement. She convinced three other teens — Hope Rippey, Laurie Tackett and Toni Lawrence — to participate in the crime because she believed Sharer stole her girlfriend.

Loveless is the last of the four to be released from prison. She will now serve parole in Jefferson County, Kentucky, according to the Kentucky Department of Corrections.

Sharer would have been 40 years old this year. 

https://www.wdrb.com/news/melinda-loveless-mastermind-of-1992-murder-of-shanda-sharer-released-from-prison/article_994b41c4-d00e-11e9-8e56-9b9b497efced.html

Kevin Foster And The Lords Of Chaos

lords of chaos kevin foster

The Lords Of Chaos was a group of teenagers in Florida lead by Kevin Foster who decided to start their own militia that would start with simple vandalizing and would end with the murder of a teacher. In this article on My Crime Library we will take a closer look at Kevin Foster and the Lords Of Chaos

Lords Of Chaos – The Beginning

The Lords Of Chaos would begin in Fort Myers Florida with just three core members: Kevin Foster, Pete Magnotti and Christopher Black. Foster was the only one out of the three who had a criminal record.

The Lords Of Chaos would start with the burning of a church bus and setting a birdcage on fire killing one of the Macaws inside.

Derek Shields who was in and out of the group would join on the next spree in which the group would go after a much bigger target, an abandoned Coca Cola Factory. Kevin Foster was apparently upset that the groups actions up to that point were being mocked in the local press where their vandalism was described as being committed by “obviously pea-brained vandals” and “person(s) of less than average intelligence and a cretin’s personality.”

On the night of the Coca Cola factory fire, April 20 1996, the Lords Of Chaos had stolen a number of propane canisters and would put them strategically around the empty factory. Kevin Foster would fill a Pepsi can full of gunpowder which he attached a twenty five foot wick. The fire would go off without a hitch causing over a hundred grand in damages.

Lords Of Chaos Escalation

The next target on the list for the Lords Of Chaos was the owner of a restaurant where Derek Shields mother worker. Shields was upset with the man who insulted his mother. Kevin Foster and Pete Magnotti would carjack and rob the man who would escape with no injuries

Lords Of Chaos Murder

On the night of April 30, 1996 after a plan to rob a clothing store in order to dress themselves for grad night the teenage killers plan changed when the plan fell apart so they decided to vandalize the school to which the majority of the group attended, Riverdale High School,

It was a typical vandalism with the group stole a number of small items from the school before Kevin Foster threw a Clorox bottle filled with gasoline which he lit on fire and threw into a window into the school gym.

As the Lords Of Chaos were admiring their handiwork from the school parking lot a teacher, Mark Schwebes, recognized two of the teens and told them he would be reporting them in the morning. Chris Black reportedly said “This has to be fixed tonight, because tomorrow’s a school day. So, he’s gotta die tonight.”

The Lords Of Chaos would obtain Mark Schwebes address through directory assistance and drove over to his home. It was decided that Derek Shields would knock on the door and Kevin Foster would pull the trigger.

At 11:30 pm the group arrived at the home and Derek Shields would walk up to the door with Kevin Foster hiding off to the side. After Derek Shields knocker Mark Schwebes opened his door and would be shot once in the face with a shotgun and once in the buttocks. The shotgun shells would be left at the murder scene.

Lords Of Chaos Arrest And Trials

Fort Myers Police initially thought that Mark Schwebes was murdered due to a love triangle however the Lords Of Chaos would soon be bragging that they had murdered a teacher. A girlfriend of one of the teens who associated with the group would tell her what happened and she would go to the police.

Soon the police would learn from other members of the group that the Lords Of Chaos were responsible for the majority of the vandalism that had occurred in the Florida town the prior week including the Coca Cola factory fire. Kevin Foster, Derek Shields, Christopher Black and Pete Magnotti were soon arrested along with a few lesser group members: Chris Burnett, Brad Young and Craig Lesh.

Brad Young and Craig Lesh would be released with no charges filed. Chris Burnett agreed to plead guilty to robbery and arson charges for a lesser sentence of two years in prison and would agree to testify against the other members of the group.

Pete Magnotti, who was seventeen at the time, would plead guilty to first degree murder and be sentenced to thirty two years in prison.

Derek Shields and Christopher Black would both end up pleading guilty to first degree murder and received life without parole sentences.

Kevin Foster decided to go to trial and turn down the same sentence received by Derek Shields and Christopher Black. Foster would be quickly convicted and sentenced to death.

Kevin Foster would make news years later when he attempted to convince a writer to murder people who testified against him. Kevin who also conspired with his mother would receive an additional sentence and his mother received five years in prison. Kevin Foster remains on Florida death row

Lords Of Chaos 2021 Updates

lords of chaos kevin foster 2021
Kevin Foster
DC Number:Y01561
Name:FOSTER, KEVIN D
Race:WHITE
Sex:MALE
Birth Date:06/16/1977
Initial Receipt Date:07/22/1998
Current Facility:UNION C.I.
Current Custody:MAXIMUM
Current Release Date:DEATH SENTENCE
lords of chaos christopher black 2021
Christopher Black
DC Number:Y01565
Name:BLACK, CHRISTOPHER P
Race:WHITE
Sex:MALE
Birth Date:04/17/1978
Initial Receipt Date:07/30/1998
Current Facility:AVON PARK C.I.
Current Custody:CLOSE
Current Release Date:SENTENCED TO LIFE
lords of chaos derek shields 2021
Derek Shields
DC Number:Y01564
Name:SHIELDS, DEREK
Race:WHITE
Sex:MALE
Birth Date:08/19/1977
Initial Receipt Date:07/30/1998
Current Facility:OKEECHOBEE C.I.
Current Custody:CLOSE
Current Release Date:SENTENCED TO LIFE
lords of chaos pete magnotti 2021
Pete Magnotti
DC Number:Y01562
Name:MAGNOTTI, PETER E
Race:WHITE
Sex:MALE
Birth Date:08/08/1978
Initial Receipt Date:07/30/1998
Current Facility:CROSS CITY WORK CAMP
Current Custody:MINIMUM
Current Release Date:07/08/2023

Lords Of Chaos Videos

Jason Sweeney Murder

jason sweeney murder

Jason Sweeney was a sixteen year old from Fishtown, Pennsylvania who would be brutally murdered by the girl he was dating, a friend since childhood and two brothers. Jason Sweeney had recently started dating Justina Morley a troubled fifteen year old girl. Jason who had been working construction was excited for the date he had that night with Justina Morley.

Justina Morley would invite him to meet her at a wooded area so the two of them could have sex. What Jason Sweeney did not know was that his friend Edward Batzig Jr and two brothers, Nicholas and Domenic Coia were lying in wait so they could rob him of his paycheck

Edward Batzig Jr would strike Jason Sweeney first which was quickly followed by Nicholas and Domenic Coia who would also attack. Jason Sweeney reportedly begged Edward Batzig Jr to stop however his so called friend would hit him repeatedly with an axe. The three teen killers would finish by smashing Jason Sweeney skull in with a large rock.

Justina Morley, Edward Batzig Jr, Nicholas and Domenic Coia would steal the money out of Jason’s pocket and reportedly the four shared a group hug

The four would spend the money on jewelry and drugs. It would not take long for police to figure out who was responsible for the murder of Jason Sweeney

Justina Morley lawyers would attempt to keep her case in juvenile court as they brought up her struggles with mental health and drug addiction however the prosecutors just pointed at the severity of the crimes that she was charged with. Justina Morley would be tried as an adult and would agree to testify against the three others in exchange for a reduced sentence.

Edward Batzig Jr, Nicholas Coia and Domenic Coia would all be found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Many believed that Justina Morley was the ringleader and that prosecutors did not need her testimony in order to convict the other three and she deserved a life sentence for her actions.

Justina Morley would be released from prison in 2020.

Jason Sweeney Killers Update

dominic coia 2021
Domenic Coia

Parole Number: GE5575
Age: 35
Date of Birth: 06/13/1985
Race/Ethnicity: WHITE
Height: 5′ 10″
Gender: MALE
Citizenship: USA
Complexion: LIGHT
Current Location: GREENE

nicholas coia 2021
Nicholas Coia

Parole Number: GE6387
Age: 34
Date of Birth: 08/30/1986
Race/Ethnicity: WHITE
Height: 5′ 06″
Gender: MALE
Citizenship: USA
Complexion: LIGHT
Current Location: SOMERSET

edward batzig
Edward Batzig Jr

Parole Number: GE6503
Age: 34
Date of Birth: 10/05/1986
Race/Ethnicity: WHITE
Height: 6′ 00″
Gender: MALE
Citizenship: USA
Complexion: LIGHT
Current Location: CHESTER

justina morley 2021
Justina Morley

Inmate Number: OJ6487
Age: 33
Date of Birth: 03/07/1988
Race/Ethnicity: White
Height: 5′ 04″
Weight (lbs): 142
Gender: Female
Complexion: FAIR
District Office: Allentown DO
County of Residence: BUCKS
State: PENNSYLVANIA
Release Date: 12/10/2020

King Von Murder Rapper Shot Dead

king von murder

King Von whose real name is Dayvon Daquan Bennett was shot and killed in Atlanta Georgia on November 6, 2020. According to police two groups of people were involved in an argument outside of an Atlanta nightclub around 3:15 am when it turned violent.

According to police the two groups of people began firing at each other which would leave three people dead including King Von. King Von who was not armed would die at the scene

There has been some confusion as Atlanta police were involved in the shooting however it was confirmed by King Von manager that the police did not kill the rapper. The two police officers at the shooting were not on duty at the time and were working as nightclub security.

Atlanta police would release the following statement

“There was an incident where two groups of individuals got into a physical altercation. The physical altercation escalated into an exchange of gunfire with those groups,” Peek said earlier this morning. “Two police officers who were working at that particular club, or lounge, noticed the gunfire, the altercation, and engaged some of the people involved. There was an exchange of gunfire with police as well.”

timothy leeks king von
Timothy Leeks

Atlanta police would arrest Timothy Leeks the next day. Timothy Leeks whose nickname is Lul Timm and Lil Tim was shot during the incident and treated at hospital where he was kept under police custody until his release and transfer to an Atlanta jail

Timothy Leeks has been charged in the murder of King Von.

King Von Murder Videos

King Von More News

 A 22-year-old man has been charged in the Atlanta shooting death of an up-and-coming Chicago-born rapper.

Timothy Leeks faces a felony murder charge in the death of Dayvon Bennett, also known as King Von

Leeks is in police custody at an Atlanta hospital, where he is being treated for a gunshot wound.

Three people were killed, including King Von, after a confrontation outside an Atlanta club that ended in gunfire early Friday morning, according to police.

Two off-duty Atlanta officers were working an extra job at a local hookah lounge when they saw two groups of men arguing with each other outside the establishment around 3:20 a.m. Friday, police said.

Officials said the argument quickly escalated to gunfire between the two groups.

One of the off-duty officers, along with an on-duty APD officer who was patrolling nearby, confronted the shooters and shots were also fired during the encounter with police.

Three people were transported to the hospital by EMS with gunshot wounds, and three others were taken to the hospital in private vehicles. Two additional people were detained on the scene, police said.

Officials confirmed Friday afternoon that three of the people shot died from their injuries, and three others were still being treated at the hospital. The officers involved were not injured, police said.
Rumors surrounding the incident claimed Bennett was killed by police gunfire, but APD officials said their investigators believe the rapper “was shot during the initial shootout between the two groups of males, prior to police responding and attempting to stop the shooting.”

The Georgia Bureau of Investigations was requested to respond and investigate the officer-involved shooting aspect of the incident. APD homicide investigators also responded and are investigating the deaths.
Officials said part of the investigations will include determining which individuals were struck by gunfire from the suspects and whether any were struck by gunfire from the officers.

Charges are anticipated against the two suspects detained on-scene, and additional charges are likely as the investigation continues, police said.

The identities of the other victims are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The investigation into the incident remains open and very active, officials said

Frequently Asked Questions

Seath Jackson Murder

seath jackson

The murder of Seath Jackson in Florida shocked the nation in its brutality and that it was committed by a group of teenagers. Seath Jackson and Amber Wright had a relationship and it ended badly with the two teens arguing over Facebook. Amber Wright had moved on to a new boyfriend Michael Bargo and soon the new boyfriend and the old boyfriend would be engaged in a fight over social media. Somewhere during the online fighting the decision was made to murder Seath Jackson.

Amber Wright convinced Seath Jackson to come over to the home of Charlie Ely so they could talk about getting back together. What Seath did not know was that he was being set up.

When Seath Jackson walked into the home he was attacked by Michael Bargo, Kyle Hooper and Justin Soto. Seath Jackson was beaten and then shot yet the fifteen year old still tried to leave the house. Seath Jackson would be shot again causing his death.

The group of Michael Bargo, Kyle Hooper (brother of Amber Wright) and Justin Soto would break Seath Jackson legs in order to put his body into a sleeping bag which was then dragged out to the backyard and set on fire.

Amber Wright and Kyle Hooper stepfather James Haven would help dispose of the remains of the Florida teenager and would drive Michael Bargo out of town.

Soon Florida police would arrest the group and Michael Bargo, Amber Wright, Kyle Hooper and Charlie Ely would face murder charges and James Haven would be charged with aiding and abetting.

Amber Wright, Kyle Hooper, Charlie Ely would be sentenced to life in prison without parole. Michael Bargo would be sentenced to death

Seath Jackson Killers – Amber Wright

amber wright 2021
Amber Wright
DC Number:U46099
Name:WRIGHT, AMBER E
Race:WHITE
Sex:FEMALE
Birth Date:03/29/1996
Initial Receipt Date:08/23/2012
Current Facility:HOMESTEAD C.I.
Current Custody:CLOSE
Current Release Date:SENTENCED TO LIFE

Seath Jackson Killers – Kyle Hooper

kyle hooper 2021
Kyle Hooper
DC Number:U46060
Name:HOOPER, KYLE
Race:WHITE
Sex:MALE
Birth Date:07/19/1994
Initial Receipt Date:08/30/2012
Current Facility:MARION C.I.
Current Custody:CLOSE
Current Release Date:SENTENCED TO LIFE

Seath Jackson Killers – Michael Bargo Jr

michael bargo 2021
Michael Bargo
DC Number:U41472
Name:BARGO, MICHAEL S JR
Race:WHITE
Sex:MALE
Birth Date:04/29/1992
Initial Receipt Date:12/16/2013
Current Facility:UNION C.I.
Current Custody:MAXIMUM
Current Release Date:DEATH SENTENCE

Seath Jackson Killers – Justin Soto

justin soto 2021
Justin Soto
DC Number:134942
Name:SOTO, JUSTIN E
Race:WHITE
Sex:MALE
Birth Date:01/04/1991
Initial Receipt Date:06/06/2012
Current Facility:COLUMBIA C.I.
Current Custody:CLOSE
Current Release Date:SENTENCED TO LIFE

Seath Jackson Killers – Charlie Ely

charlie ely 2021
Charlie Ely
DC Number:155636
Name:ELY, CHARLIE
Race:WHITE
Sex:FEMALE
Birth Date:07/11/1992
Custody:CLOSE
Release Date:06/18/2020

Charlie Ely sentence was later reduced and she was released in 2020

Seath Jackson Videos

Seath Jackson Murder Other News

Michael Shane Bargo, 27, was accused of being the ringleader in the murder of 15-year-old Seath Jackson.

Michael Shane Bargo Jr. was sentenced to death again Thursday for the 2011 murder of Seath Jackson in Summerfield.

At a hearing Thursday afternoon in Ocala, Circuit Judge Anthony Tatti told Bargo that his sentence is death and ordered him transferred to prison to remain there until the day of his execution.

Bargo, who was shackled, did not flinch when he heard the sentence.

“The Court finds that a sentence of death is justified by law and the facts and circumstances of this case, and is appropriate for MICHAEL SHANE BARGO, JR. for his first degree murder of Seath Jackson,” Tatti’s 31-page sentencing order states.

As he was being fingerprinted, Bargo whispered to his dad, who had been a constant presence during his son’s court appearances. His father later declined to comment.

“We’re going file an appeal,” Candance Hawthorne, one of Bargo’s lawyers, said after the hearing. Hawthorne said she is looking forward to the Florida Supreme Court handling the case. Brenda Smith was another lawyer who helped with Bargo’s defense.

Sonia Jackson, the victim’s mother, who has been attending all the hearings related to her son, left the courtroom as soon as Tatti announced the death sentence.

Assistant state attorneys Amy Berndt and Robin Arnold, who prosecuted Bargo, declined comment.

Bargo becomes the youngest inmate on Florida’s Death Row, according to information on the Florida Department of Correction’s website. Bargo is one of eight people from Marion County currently on Death Row. The statewide total is 340.

Since 1979, ninety-nine people have been executed by the state, with three of those coming from Marion County. On average, Florida’s Death Row inmates have been 44.9 years old at the time of execution. Their average age when committing the offense was 27.

The men on Death Row are housed at Florida State Prison or Union Correctional Institution, both in Raiford, according to the FDOC website. The women on Death Row are housed at Lowell Annex

In April 2011, prosecutors say, Bargo — along with co-defendants Amber Wright, Kyle Hooper, Charlie Ely and Justin Soto — lured 15-year-old Seath to a Summerfield home, where they beat, shot and tortured him, and then burned his body. The teen’s remains were placed into paint buckets and dropped into a water-filled quarry.

Authorities said Bargo was the ringleader. He was convicted in August 2013 and sentenced to death. Four years later, the Florida Supreme Court granted Bargo a chance to be sentenced again, because the jury recommendation for death in his case had not been unanimous. It had been 10-2.

At his new trial in April of this year, a new jury voted unanimously to recommend his execution.

Bargo was 18 at the time of the murder. He is 27 now.

Three months after his new trial, Bargo addressed the court. He called his sentencing hearing a big circus and told the judge he did not get a fair trial because he had evidence to prove his innocence but the court had rejected it.

He insinuated that, if he is executed, his death will be on Tatti and the judge would be killing an innocent man.

In the sentencing order, Tatti gives background on Bargo’s convictions and, going into great detail, explains “each aggravating factor unanimously found to exist by the jury and all mitigating circumstances reasonably established by evidence.”

https://www.ocala.com/news/20190912/summerfield-murder-michael-bargo-sentenced-to-death-again

Seath Jackson Murder Interrogation