By David Lohr
(Continued)
Once back at the scene, Loveless grabbed the pop bottle with the remaining gasoline and ran over to Shanda Sharer's body. She stood there staring momentarily as Shanda curled up into a fetal position and her tongue began darting in and out of her mouth. After she felt she had seen enough, she threw the remaining gasoline on Shanda's smoldering corpse and ran back to the car. Loveless thought Shanda's movements were funny and bragged to the others about what she had witnessed.
.jpg) |
| Intersection where Body was Discovered |
Later that day, two quail hunters stumbled upon Shanda Sharer's remains in the field and notified police. At about the same time, Lawrence and Rippey had decided to tell their parents they had been witness to a murder. After listening to the girls' stories, their parents immediately notified the police.
150.jpg) |
| Hope Rippey |
As the details of the case slowly emerged, prosecutor Guy Townsend charged both Hope Rippey and Toni Lawrence with murder, arson, battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery, criminal confinement, and intimidation. He charged Loveless and Tackett with seven additional crimes, including child molestation and criminal deviant conduct. A month later, Townsend filed an additional count of felony murder against Melinda Loveless and Laurie Tackett.
Next Page
Previous Page
Melinda Loveless Seeks Early Release in Shanda Sharer Case
Death of Innocence - The Murder of Young Shanda Sharer
For More Daily Crime News
default
increase
decrease
email
print