ZANESVILLE, Ohio-Billy J. Shafer, a 47-year-old convicted child killer, will remain in prison for at least another decade after being denied early release. Shafer, who murdered 5-year-old Sara West in 1993, was up for parole last month, but a public petition with nearly 10,000 signatures helped prevent his release. The Ohio Parole Board voted on October 16 to keep Shafer incarcerated, considering community opposition to his release. Shafer was sentenced to 20 years to life, and the parole board will review his case every 10 years. Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron Welch emphasized that the office will continue to oppose Shafer’s release, stating that he should “never breathe free air again.”
