COLUMBUS, Ohio — A man charged in the shooting death of an Ohio State student nearly three years ago has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.
Kintie Mitchell, originally charged with murder in the case, accepted a plea deal last week for the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Chase Meola.
The shooting took place on Oct. 11, 2020, during a party at a fraternity house on 14th Avenue.
Court documents say a group of people were asked to leave the house and then an altercation ensued. Shots were fired, striking and killing Meola.
Mitchell, who was 18 at the time, was arrested days after the shooting and charged with murder for Meola’s death. He was out on bond on three separate felonies, including burglary, at the time of the shooting.
Mitchell initially pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. He later entered an agreement with the judge and pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, a first-degree felony, and having weapons under a disability, a third-degree felony.
In Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Mitchell pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and having weapons under disability to avoid a murder charge.
As part of the plea deal, Mitchell was sentenced to at least 15 years in prison. His maximum prison sentence is 20 years.
Meola’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the university and his fraternity, Phi Kappa Psi.
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The lawsuit claims that the university should have done more to protect Meola, saying the University District, where the fraternity house is located, has a high amount of crime and violence.
The fraternity was also suspended at the time of the party and despite the suspension, the lawsuit said it "continued to hold itself out as an active fraternity, held parties and served alcohol and otherwise engaged in fraternity activities."