John Carter was desperate to find his missing fiancée, Katelyn Markham, who disappeared in August 2011. He repeatedly provided information to the police and spoke to the media, hoping for her return. However, over a decade later, Carter was indicted on two counts of murder in Markham’s death.
As the trial approached, prosecutors agreed to drop the murder charges in exchange for a guilty plea to involuntary manslaughter. Carter was sentenced to three years in prison, the maximum allowed under Ohio law.
In an interview with “Dateline,” Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Michael Gmoser explained his decision to pursue charges against Carter after so many years. He believed getting an admission of guilt for Katelyn Markham’s death was more important than the length of the sentence.
Details emerged during the investigation that cast doubt on Carter’s account of the night Markham disappeared. Witnesses reported seeing Carter’s car leaving his home late at night with its lights off, contradicting his alibi. Additionally, disturbing poems found in Carter’s journal suggested he had considered Markham’s death.
Despite circumstantial evidence and no clear cause of death determined by the medical examiner, Carter pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors believed this was the best option to secure a conviction. The agreement allowed Carter to avoid a potentially lengthy trial and provided some closure for Markham’s family.
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