Shawn Grate

Shawn Michael Grate (born August 8, 1976[3]) is an American convicted serial killer who was convicted on two counts of aggravated murder on May 7, 2018, in Ashland County, Ohio, pleaded guilty to two additional murders on March 1, 2019 in Richland County, Ohio, and who pleaded guilty to an additional murder on September 11, 2019 in Marion County, Ohio.

Shawn Grate
Ashland County Sheriff's Office mugshot
Born
Shawn Michael Grate

(1976-08-08) August 8, 1976
NationalityAmerican
Known forConvicted serial killings 2006, 2015–2016
Home townMarion, Ohio[1]
Criminal statusAwaiting execution at the Chillicothe Correctional Institution
Spouse(s)Amber Grate (2011-2012)[2]
Children3
Conviction(s)Murder (2 counts) (May 7, 2018)
Murder (2 counts) (March 1, 2019)
Murder (1 count) (September 11, 2019)
Criminal penaltyDeath penalty (June 1, 2018)
Life without parole (March 1 and September 11, 2019)
Details
Victims5+
Span of crimes
2006–2016
CountryUnited States
State(s)Ohio
Location(s)Ashland County, Marion County, Richland County
Date apprehended
September 13, 2016

Biography

Grate graduated from River Valley High School in 1995.[4]

A grand jury indicted Grate on two counts of aggravated murder in the deaths of two women, Stacey Stanley and Elizabeth Griffith, and the kidnapping and multiple sexual assaults of an unidentified woman whose 911 call to Ashland police led to Grate's arrest on September 13, 2016. In court documents her name has been redacted. She is being referred to as "Jane Doe". Grate was indicted on 23 counts, all first, second, or third-degree felonies; lesser charges include breaking and entering, burglary, and tampering with evidence.[5]

He was represented in court by court-appointed attorney Rolf Whitney,[6] who entered a plea of not guilty on all charges on behalf of Grate.[7] In a press interview Grate confessed to five murders.[8] Grate's attorneys later filed a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.[9] His trial date was set for November 6, 2017,[10] and was later delayed to April 9, 2018.[11][12][13]

Ashland County prosecutor Christopher R. Tunnell said that given the "...depraved actions and the gruesome evidence", he would seek the death penalty.[14]

Shawn Grate has also been charged in the deaths of his former girlfriend Candice Cunningham and Rebekah Leicy in neighboring Richland County,[15] and has also been charged in the death of Dana Nicole Lowrey, 23, who died in 2006 and was found in 2007 in Marion County.[16][17] In the second of two letters he sent to Cleveland news station WEWS (News 5 Cleveland) reporter Megan Hickey, Grate attributed his motives to "government assistance", writing that it took his victims' minds. "They were already dead, just their bodies were flopping wherever it can flop but their minds were already dead! The state took their minds. Once they started receiving their monthly checks". Grate claimed he once received a $197 food card and that he "never was able to receive any encouragement, though many bodies received 700".[18]

After Grate gave details of the murders to two different news organizations while in custody, attorneys for the defense and prosecution jointly requested and obtained a gag order preventing Grate from communicating any further with the media.[19] On January 6, 2017, a competency hearing determined Grate is fit to stand trial.[20] An evaluation released March 6, based on a January 17 assessment to evaluate Grate's claim of insanity, declared that he was not insane at the time the crimes were committed.[21][22] Grate's counsel then withdrew the plea of not guilty by reason of insanity on April 7, 2017.[23][24]

363 Covert Court in Ashland, OH where Grate was arrested, a public memorial is in front of the house. The house has since been demolished.

In a settlement with the owner, the City of Ashland obtained ownership of the house where Grate was apprehended, two bodies were discovered, and a kidnapped woman was rescued by police. The city is pursuing a federal grant with the intention of demolishing the house.[25][26]

“There is a settlement agreement among the parties that essentially obligates the Pump House to transfer all property that is the subject of this action to the city of Ashland and transfer their title thereto, provided that the city pays off the sums owed to the county for delinquent taxes and to the Muskingum Watershed District,” said Andrew Bush, assistant law director for the city of Ashland.[25]

Trials

Grate's trial for the Ashland crimes began with two weeks of jury selection on April 9, 2018.[27] The trial began with opening statements on April 23.[28] On May 2, Grate pleaded guilty to 15 of the charges against him.[29][30] On May 7, Grate was found guilty of murdering Stacey Stanley and Elizabeth Griffith.[31][32][33] On June 1, Grate was sentenced to death.[34][35] An initial execution date was set upon conviction for September 13, 2018,[34] however the execution was stayed due to a pending appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court.[36]

Defense counsel in the trial were Robert Whitney and Rolf Whitney. The prosecution team was Ashland Prosecutor Chris Tunnell, Medina County Assistant Prosecutor Michael McNamara and Special Prosecutor Mark Weaver.[34]

On March 1, 2019, Grate pleaded guilty in the murders of Rebekah Leicy and Candice Cunningham, and was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of Leicy, and 17 years to life for the other charges with the sentences running consecutively.[37]

On September 11, 2019, Grate pleaded guilty in the murder of Dana Lowrey and was sentenced to life in prison without parole plus 16 years.[38][39][40]

Victims

Kidnapping Victim

While Grate slept, the victim identified by the indictment only as "Jane Doe"[3] called 911 from the Ashland house where Grate had held her for three days. She was safely rescued by Ashland police. Because she was the victim of a sexual assault, police declined to reveal her identity.[41] Grate claims he did not plan to kill her and that they were going to get married.[8]

Stacey Stanley A.K.A. Stacey Hicks

Stanley's family had reported her missing the week before Grate was arrested. Her body was found at the Ashland house where Grate was arrested.[42] She is also known as Stacy Hicks. An autopsy concluded she was strangled to death.[43]

Elizabeth Griffith

Griffith had been missing for about a month before Grate was arrested. Her body was found at the Ashland house where Grate was arrested.[42] An autopsy concluded she was strangled to death.[43]

Candice Cunningham

Grate led police to what he claimed was Cunningham's body in neighboring Richland County on the day of his arrest.[44] Police found the body behind a house that had previously burned down. The Richland County Sheriff's office officially confirmed that the body found was Cunningham's on November 1, 2016.[45]

Rebekah Leicy

Based on information supplied by Grate, police have reopened the investigation into Leicy's death. Her body was found in March 2015, and her death was originally ruled a drug overdose.[46] Grate says he strangled her after she stole $4 from him in a bar.[8]

Dana Lowrey

Grate claims to have killed another woman who was found dead in Marion County, Ohio in 2007 who remained unidentified for 12 years.[47] He has stated he believes her name was Dana.[8] In January 2018, isotope analysis indicated she was likely from the southern United States.[48] The victim was identified in June 2019 by the DNA Doe Project as Dana Nicole Lowrey, 23, of Minden, Louisiana.[49] Lowrey had two daughters aged one and five at the time of her death and was separated from her daughters’ father.[50]

See also

References
  1. "Shawn Grate: A cold-blooded charmer". Mansfield News Journal. October 1, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  2. https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/the-wife-of-serial-killer-shawn-grate-speaks-out-about-marriage/news-story/ce1553c1283cc0b61dc93008b54a98a4
  3. Jackman, Jay. "23 Felony Count Indictments Against Convicted Serial Killer". WMFD. Archived from the original on October 26, 2016. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  4. Carr, Dillon (September 15, 2016). "Grate's ex-wife releases statement". Richland Source. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  5. Tunnell, Christopher. "PDF Released: Grate Indictment 22 Sept 16". Twitter. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  6. Sams, Dylan. "Grate pleads not guilty to two counts of murder, one count kidnapping". Ashland Times-Gazette. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  7. Dunning, Shanice. "Suspected serial killer Shawn Grate pleads not guilty". Cleveland 19 News. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
  8. Nist, Cassie. "Q&A from jail: Shawn Grate says his victims didn't want to live". Cleveland 19 News. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
  9. Steer, Jen (December 28, 2016). "Accused Ashland serial killer pleads insanity". WJW Fox 8 Cleveland. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  10. Mills, Emily (October 31, 2016). "Shawn Grate's trial date set for next November". Mansfield News Journal. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  11. Busbey, Tim (August 28, 2017). "Accused Ashland serial killer Shawn Grate's trial delayed until April 9". Richland Source. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  12. Sams, Dylan (August 28, 2017). "Trial for Shawn Grate rescheduled for April 2018". Ashland Times-Gazette. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  13. "Trial of accused serial killer Shawn Grate delayed until next year". Mansfield News Journal. August 28, 2017. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  14. "Ashland prosecutor seeks death penalty against suspected serial killer". WCMH-TV NBC4. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  15. "Convicted murderer Shawn Grate pleads not guilty to Richland County charges". Mansfield News Journal. September 13, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  16. "Ashland killer connection reopens 2015 case". WCMH-TV NBC4. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  17. "Serial killer Shawn Grate charged in Marion County in woman's 2006 death". Mansfield News Journal. June 6, 2019. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  18. Hickey, Megan. "Suspected serial killer Shawn Grate reveals "why" he murdered victims in letters to News 5". WEWS News 5 Cleveland. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
  19. Barbash, Fred. "The twisted confessions of Shawn Grate, who says he killed 5 women". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  20. "Grate competent to stand trial". Ashland Times-Gazette. January 6, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  21. Caudill, Mark (January 6, 2017). "Grate ruled competent to stand trial". Mansfield News Journal. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  22. Caudil, Mark (March 6, 2017). "Evaluation: Shawn Grate not insane at time of killings". WKYC. Retrieved March 20, 2017.
  23. Busbey, Tim (April 7, 2017). "Shawn Grate's attorneys withdraw insanity plea". Richland Source. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  24. https://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/story/news/2020/02/04/mansfield-house-where-serial-killer-shawn-grate-stayed-demolished/4654001002/
  25. Sams, Dylan (September 12, 2017). "Pump House to sign properties over to city in foreclosure case". Ashland Times-Gazette. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  26. Sams, Dylan (July 14, 2017). "Ashland wants to demolish the houses where Shawn Grate was found last year". Ashland Times-Gazette. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  27. McNaull, Courtney (April 9, 2018). "Jury selection begins in Shawn Grate case". Richland Source. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  28. Sams, Dylan (April 23, 2018). "Prosecutor: Shawn Grate case "not a whodunnit"". Ashland Times-Gazette. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  29. Sams, Dylan (May 2, 2018). "Accused killer Grate pleads guilty to 15 non-murder charges". Ashland Times-Gazette. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  30. "Accused Ashland serial killer Shawn Grate pleads guilty to several charges". WJW Fox 8 Cleveland. May 2, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  31. "Jury finds Shawn Grate guilty of murder, sexual assault in Ohio". NBC NEWS. May 7, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  32. "Accused serial killer Shawn Grate found guilty of aggravated murder, kidnapping". WJW Fox 8 Cleveland. May 7, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  33. Sams, Dylan (May 7, 2018). "GRATE TRIAL: Guilty on all 8 counts". Ashland Times-Gazette. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  34. "Crowd in court applauds death sentence for Shawn Grate". Mansfield News Journal. June 1, 2018. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  35. Sams, Dylan (June 1, 2018). "Judge sentences Grate to death, families mourn". Ashland Times-Gazette. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  36. McNaull, Courtney. "Serial killer Shawn Grate case resumes on Sept. 25". Richland Source (September 24, 2018). Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  37. "Serial killer Grate pleads guilty to killing 2 women in Richland County". Mansfield News Journal. March 1, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
  38. "Convicted killer Shawn Grate sentenced to another life term in Marion County death". 10TV. September 11, 2019. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  39. "Death-row's Grate gets prison term for Marion murder, his first". Mansfield News Journal. September 11, 2019. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  40. "Convicted serial killer Shawn Grate pleads guilty to Marion County murder". Cleveland19. September 11, 2019. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  41. "What we know: Shawn Grate tied to 5 deaths, 1 abduction". Cincinnati.com. USA Today. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  42. Samuelson, Kate. "Man Linked to at Least 5 Women's Deaths Is 'Obviously a Serial Killer,' Sheriff Says". TIME. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  43. Jones, Bob (January 4, 2017). "Autopsy report reveals two of Shawn Grate's alleged victims were strangled to death". WEWS. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  44. L'Heureux, Catie. "A Serial Killer's Victim Made a 911 Call That Helped Police Link the Cases of 5 Murdered Women". New York Magazine. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  45. Carr, Dillon (November 1, 2016). "Candice Cunningham identified as 3rd victim in Grate case". Richland Source. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  46. Whitmire, Lou. "Grate provides Mansfield police with tips in Leicy case". Mansfield News Journal. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  47. Barbash, Fred. "'He's obviously a serial killer': Deaths of at least 5 women now linked, probed by Ohio police". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  48. Volpenhein, Sarah (April 11, 2018). "New tests could help identify alleged Shawn Grate victim in Marion County". Marion Star. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  49. "Marion County Sheriff identifying remains believed to be Shawn Grate's first victim". WTTE. June 4, 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  50. Bailey, Brittany (June 4, 2019). "Officials identify remains of woman believed to be Shawn Grate's first victim". WBNS-10TV Columbus, Ohio News, Weather & Sports. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
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