The Ohio Parole Board denied parole for a child murderer after the Muskingum County Prosecutor's Office organized a public petition opposing his release.

Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, October 25, 2024

Parole Denied for Child Murderer After Prosecuting Attorney’s Petition Effort

Earlier this month, the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office organized a public petition opposing the early release of Billy J. Shafer, a child murderer imprisoned in 1993.

Nearly 10,000 people signed the petition, thanks to the reporting done by local media outlets including WHIZ-TV, Zanesville Times-Recorder, the Facebook blog ZanesViral, and Columbus radio talk-show host Chuck Douglas.

The Parole Board is required to consider community opposition to a murderer’s release. Our office collected petition signatures and comments from citizens and delivered them to the Parole Board.

On October 16, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Parole Board voted to deny Shafer’s early release.

Muskingum County Prosecuting Attorney Ron Welch says the outpouring of support from the community and local media demonstrated how Shafer’s case stands out in people’s minds.

“The number of people who signed this petition shows how important this case was, and still is in this community,” Prosecutor Welch said. “Our office also appreciates the media outlets who reported on this story. Their understanding of the importance of this case allowed us to reach a much larger number of people.”

In February 1993, Shafer murdered 5-year-old Sara West in her home. Shafer had volunteered to babysit West. He shot Sara in the head with a firearm and then cut her dead body into pieces.

Shafer confessed to investigators that he had murdered Sara. He told them that he had fantasized about killing someone for most of his life. He told them that he murdered Sara because “opportunity was knocking.”

Shafer is legally eligible for a parole hearing every 10 years. Welch says the prosecutor’s office will oppose Shafer’s release until the day Shafer dies.

“Billy Shafer should never breathe free air again,” Prosecutor Welch said. “He should die in prison, and even that isn’t justice enough for Sara West.”



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Parole Denied for Child Murderer After Prosecuting Attorney’s Petition Effort