BUCYRUS — Johnathon Moyer, 26, of Bucyrus appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court to plead no contest to one count of vehicular homicide, a minor misdemeanor punishable with up to 180 days in jail. Moyer was charged following the death of 18-year-old Jacie Everett.
The original indictment was for aggravated vehicular homicide, a third-degree felony punishable with up to 36 months in prison. Before sentencing, Prosecutor Mathew Crall addressed the court regarding the amended charge against Moyer.
Crall explained that he sought the highest charge possible in this case. The state retained several experts, including a watercraft crash expert from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the pathologist who performed the autopsy along with toxicology reports and body cam video from officers who responded to the scene.
“There were no drugs or alcohol that contributed to the accident. The defendant has no prior criminal history,” Crall said. “This was not an aggravated case, it was negligence. Every effort was made to prove the highest charges possible. It was an accident that was the defendant’s fault.”
Crall said he understood why the family was disappointed in the amended charge.
“I used to be a neighbor to the victim. She was a bright light in this community,” Crall said. “Tragedy is the best way if there even is a way to describe what happened here. We did everything we could to hold him accountable. I wish we could make the family whole, but that will never happen because Jacie is gone. Sometimes, your honor, there are no words.”
Before sentence was passed, Jacie Everett’s mother addressed the court.
“What I say won’t make a difference. My daughter got the death penalty, the family got life and he walks away scot free. How do I celebrate anything? It’s like going through hell. Jacie was going to college to be a pediatric nurse. It got taken away. I had to go to her high school graduation without her. The man who did it gets to walk away. What am I going to do with that? I’m not trying to be disrespectful, but I am disgusted with our judicial system. He’s not held accountable; he can go on with his life. Drug addicts get more than this. It’s a let-down.”
Judge Sean Leuthold addressed Everett’s family.
“My heart is pounding with grief for this family. I knew Jacie from sports,” Leuthold said. “She was one of my favorite players to watch. On occasions when I would speak at school, she always had interesting questions.”
Leuthold went on to explain the amended charge.
“This is a real challenge for the justice system. I understand what her mother is saying, and I’d probably say the same thing,” Leuthold said. “But based on what charges were able to be proven in this case, the charge had to be reduced. I cannot make this a felony. Jacie’s mother mentioned sentence for drug addicts being harsher. That’s true, but they committed felonies. If there would have been a smidgen of evidence or a drop of alcohol involved, I’d put him in prison. I am emotionally touched but I cannot sentence on emotion. I can’t ignore the law and statutes.”
Leuthold noted that this was horse play on a jet ski that ended in a tragic accident. Leuthold sentenced Moyer to 180 in jail with all suspended and placed him on two years of community control. Leuthold ordered his probation officer, Chris Heydinger to monitor him closely.
“Your behavior was negligent, and a tragedy happened that is your fault,” Leuthold told Moyer. “You have to live with that but live a life that’s worthy of living. If you feel guilty, live an exemplary life, go forward and do good because you can’t go back and change things.”
Finally, Leuthold once again addressed the family,
“There was a thorough investigation here. You’re going to be hurt and angry and I understand that. I wish I could bring her back to you,” Leuthold said. “She brought a lot of joy. This is a sad and tragic case. We have done the appropriate thing in this case. I hope that somewhere down the road you can find peace.”