VINTON COUNTY, Ohio — Shania Nicole Jones, a defendant in the Vinton County Court of Common Pleas, has admitted to being involved in a double homicide that took place on March 1, 2022, in McArthur. The deaths of Jori Blair Brown and Lawrence Andrew McMichael resulted in Jones being charged with two counts of Conspiracy to Commit Murder, first-degree felonies in Ohio.
Jones and August Christopher Schuetz, her co-defendant, were both indicted by a grand jury in April 2022. The state of Ohio was represented by Vinton County Prosecuting Attorney Jim Payne, while Jones was represented by Kirk McVay, Assistant Ohio Public Defender.
Judge James Salyer has ordered a pre-sentencing investigation for Jones and her sentencing has been postponed until a later date. If convicted, Jones could face up to 27.5 years in prison, a maximum fine of $40,000, 5 years of post-release control, registration in the Violent Offender Registry, and other penalties.
Schuetz’s trial has yet to be scheduled, but is expected to take place in the coming months. Schuetz and Brown, one of the victims, had a previous relationship. Brown and McMichael leave behind their families, including minor children, and friends.
