WEST JEFFERSON, Ohio — A man was found guilty on murder charges and received multiple life sentences Friday in connection to the shooting deaths of four people in Madison County nearly three years ago.
West Jefferson police said John Steckel was found guilty on four counts of aggravated murder that occurred on May 24, 2021.
Madison County Prosecutor Nick Adkins requested Steckel be given four life sentences due to the brutality of the murders.
Steckel was sentenced to four life sentences without parole, one for each of the victims that was killed. An additional 12 years will be added to the life sentences for firearm specifications in the murders.
West Jefferson police said a passerby called 911 around 5:30 p.m. on May 24, 2021, about a man lying outside an apartment on Jackson Street.
When officers arrived, they found multiple people shot and killed.
Police identified the victims as:
- Andrew Thomas Swindall, 45, of West Jefferson
- Shawn A. Wright, 45, of London
- Jamie Danielle Lavender, 30, of Springfield
- Leon Billy Daniels, 38, of London