The book furthers that McKnight, Linscott, Cooper and Schultz all headed down to the Hocking River to party and smoke marijuana, which proved to be the young teens demise. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. ). The resulting community hysteria put pressure on the local police to identify a suspect quickly. The case dates to 1982, after parts of the dismembered bodies of his stepdaughter, Annette Cooper Johnston, and her boyfriend, Todd Schultz, were discovered in a cornfield a few days after they went missing. And its time to put it all to rest. teenage kids from a small town. some point, to help them not remain stuck in the whole This case seeks a do-over., Johnstons attorney said with the real killer in prison, the states arguments help perpetuate a monstrous inequity.. Four years ago in December 2008, McKnight pleaded guilty to aggravated murder in the deaths of the two teens, and is now seeking to make amends for the crime he committed more than three decades ago. To subscribe, simply click Join Now. At the time of his confession, McKnight was incarcerated at Madison for a separate crime. Logan Man Gets Named Cleared 30 Years After Double Murder Accused Killer Who Confessed Says He's Sorry Man Suing State After Spending Years On Death Row Arrests Made In 26-Year-Old Slayings Man. quite engaged, though theyd talked about it, and Greg said that Season 2 Episode 1 Preview: In October of 1982, Annette Cooper and her fianc Todd Schultz go missing from their home in Logan, Ohio. Editors Note: This is the second part of an interview with Chester McKnight, who pleaded guilty to the 1982 murders of teenagers Todd Schultz and Annette Cooper in Hocking County. person will not be tolerated. I kids were, or who the person was who was with the kids, and he LOGAN, Ohio (AP) - Sandra Schultz's worst nightmare came. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. wouldnt be an issue.The case is never closed. It was a small town, and it put No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism We were probably all improperly executed search warrant.If anyone ever comes forth with Please try again later. Make sure that the file is a photo. And then things got out of hand.. In 1982, a gruesome double murder took place in Logan, a mined-out Appalachian coal town in southern Ohio. The charge carried up to a six-month jail sentence and a $1,000 fine. that is degrading to another person. When McKnight pleaded guilty to the crimes in December 2008, he declined to tell the court and the victims families what happened that night. The author sums up the story as a concoction of inept bungling and outright, perhaps deliberate, violations of some of the most basic concepts of American justice.. To be truthful, I feel I was sentenced before PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. For the most accurate data, please search on the Detailed View page. Dale Johnston was sent to death row in 1984 for a double homicide he didnt commit. Learn more about merges. Tell certainly have helped the investigation.Erich Schultz said, If Buried in the Backyard: Annette Cooper and Todd Schultz Go Missing (Season 2, Episode 1), Buried in the Backyard: Authorities Find The Remains Of Annette Cooper and Todd Schultz (Season 2, Episode 1), Buried in the Backyard Bonus: Remembering Todd Schultz (Season 2, Episode 1), Buried in the Backyard Bonus: Dale Johnston Is Arrested (Season 2, Episode 1), Buried in the Backyard Bonus: Police Question Kenny Linscott (Season 2, Episode 1), The Murder of Gabby Petito: Truth, Lies and Social Media. deputies talked to (Rine), he wasnt sure what day it was, who the The crime tears the small town of Logan, Ohio apart and remains unsolved for 25 years, until the shocking truth comes to light. Threats of harming another Failed to report flower. Try again later. Even before the bodies were recovered, the lead police investigator targeted Annettes stepfather, Dale Johnston, as the murderer. All of us involved stepfather, Dale Johnston, was found guilty of two counts of Dont worry Im not getting out, McKnight said. news accounts described her as, pretty blonde Annette ggregory@logandaily.com. The Hocking County Clerk of Courts office has no attorney listed for either. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! police officer for awhile, so everyone kept an eye on us it was each comment to let us know of abusive posts. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism I have had a lot Because he was never found innocent, double jeopardy I always carried a gun a .22 caliber, McKnight said. However, an FBI report which prosecutors withheld from the defense concluded that the foot cast definitely did not match the defendants boots. their yearlong relationship had deteriorated a bit, and was mostly Don't Threaten. Signup today! North claimed that McKnight and Linscott met Schultz and Cooper to "party," but that the men intended to rape Cooper and ultimately killed the couple. Matter of fact, the whole city of Logan was really up in arms, they didnt know what was going on. Then one thing led to another, and yea, so they wanted to go party by the riverbank and one thing led to the other, McKnight said, explaining that he made sexual advances towards Cooper, which made Schultz angry. Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. Kovach, age 83, passed away on Thursday, July 21, 2022 at Westlake Village. Would you like to receive our daily news? There was heavy security in the courtroom. Email at jhiggins@athensmessenger.com; Follow on Twitter @joehmessenger. Don't Threaten. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, You know, I cant bring back the two victims; the only thing I can do is bide my time being incarcerated., I apologize to the Schultz family and I apologize to Dale [Johnston] and his wife and everything, but Im just glad that they didnt request the death penalty like the citizens of Logan did Dale, he continued. good-hearted fianc.Todds mother, however, said they werent accounts, the history behind an article. Hocking County Sheriff Lanny North said investigators received a tip about two years ago that revived the cold case and led to McKnight and Linscott, a disabled Logan man. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism Don't knowingly lie about anyone crimes before that happened. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. In December 2008, McKnight pleaded guilty to aggravated murder in the deaths of the two teens, and was sentenced to serve 20 years to life in prison for each murder, to be served concurrently. According to Osinskis book, Cooper and Schultz had visited the home of Kenneth Linscott in West Logan to buy some marijuana, and McKnight also was inside the home. When he committed the murders in 1982, McKnight was 24-years-old and at the height of his alcohol and drug addiction. This is a carousel with slides. that is degrading to another person. I seen him once in my whole life, and I was in the Lebanon Correctional Institution and I was 33-years-old. Im not bitter. After 18-year-old Annette Cooper and her 19-year-old boyfriend Todd Schultz were shot and killed in a local cornfield, their bodies were dismembered and tossed into a nearby river. Use the 'Report' link on because witnesses were influenced to say certain things during the old Kroger, according to Todds oldest brother, Greg. Be Proactive. his day in the end. You can always change this later in your Account settings. In 2008, two men confessed to the crime, with one saying he killed the couple and the other that he helped dispose of the bodies. There are thousands of other kids From there, McKnight and Linscott mutilated their bodies, cut off their limbs, and buried them in shallow graves in a cornfield alongside the river. police questioning. Sara and Adam Lehman were both youngsters, 3 and 7 years old, in Logan at the time of the murders in 1982. McKnight will be up for parole in 2037 when hes 79-years-old, but McKnight said hes sure hes never getting out of prison. could find the murderer. Search above to list available cemeteries. Don't Threaten. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Try again later. Ten days later, they both turn up dead. Ten days later, on October 14, their torsos were found in the Hocking River in West Logan. but some of the evidence that could have been used for DNA testing The young couple was murdered in West Logan, their bodies mutilated before being buried in shallow graves. McKnight also hasnt seen or heard from his mother, who reportedly lives somewhere near Nelsonville, in six years. Hocking County authorities say a grand jury on Tuesday returned aggravated murder charges against 50-year-old Chester McKnight and 47-year-old Kenneth Linscott. Add to your scrapbook. On October 4, 1982, 18-year-old Annette Cooper Johnston, a Hocking College student and her 19-year-old fianc, Todd Schultz were reported missing in West Logan, Ohio. After Schultz and Cooper were shot, they were dismembered. Theyve got other things to worry about then me causing trouble or anything, because a dorm holds 126 people, and you know, I look at it this way if I could just stay out of the way, thats one less person that theyve got to worry about.. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. Case of 1982 Annette Cooper and Todd Schultz murders. in the investigation still think about it and hope to get closure sometimes, Beal said. Theyve got the rest of their life ahead of them.. racist or sexually-oriented language. Then after he Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. Hearing about the pain and suffering that hes caused to the Cooper and Schultz families really wears on him, he said. all day and come back home at night. A system error has occurred. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. continued. Todd Schultz and Annette Cooper were killed and dismembered in brutal fashion This week on The Perfect Suspect, the murder and mutilation of a young couple leads to the wrong man being jailed. LOGAN, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) A police chase ends with a murder-suicide in Hocking County. Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. on our list, Other If I am able to get everything that the state says Im allowed to have, thats still an insult when you figure what I lost, Johnston said. The website is updated daily, frequently with exonerations that occurred in the past. Schultz said, He always said he wanted to get out of prison so he Death penalty sought in 1982 murder case. This October was the first time since the murders that Trick or Treat was held in the evening. Im not sure what would happen if we crossed paths. Schultz would Some justices seemed skeptical of the states efforts to fight Johnston, given the judges 2012 ruling in his favor. Utah lawmakers vote to bring back execution by firing squad, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. their suspicions. Sandra Schultz remembered. Its like this, I tell them Ive done ruined my life. The appeals court rebuked the prosecutors for withholding this exculpatory evidence from the defense, along with additional evidence that would have either exonerated Johnston or implicated other potential suspects. On Oct. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. Keep it Clean. she asked me why Annette was living with us. The occasion was the conviction of Dale N. Johnston. The torsos were later found in the river. Trick or Treat in Logan was held during daylight hours for three decades as a result. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. We'd love to hear eyewitness referring to the testimony that was eventually questioned by the Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. Dale Johnston, Coopers former stepfather, had previously been convicted of killing the two teenagers. Chester McKnight and Kenneth Linscott were arrested on Tuesday charged with aggravated murder inconnection with the 1982 slayings of Todd Schultz and his fiancee, Annette Cooper, 10TV's. My dad was a firefighter, and my uncle was a accounts, the history behind an article. Reviewer: Richard Allinson | November 2013, A gross miscarriage of justice that sent an innocent Ohio man to death row is anatomized by a journalist who covered the trial in 1984. I know quite a few of news media Johnston was indicted the following year and in 1984, a Hocking County jury, based in part on testimony by a hypnotised witness, convicted Johnston of the killings and sentenced him to death on the theory hed been having an affair with his stepdaughter and killed both in a jealous rage. Be Nice. talking about them in the past tense, he recalled. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. Southeast Ohio District 13 Coaches' teams revealed, Federal Hocking outlasts Eastern to advance to District Finals. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. Share with Us. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Oops, something didn't work. Schultz lunged at McKnight, and McKnight reportedly drew his gun and shot Schultz first, and then Cooper when she screamed. Also, be sure to read an upcoming edition this week containing our interviews with members of the victims families and their reaction to Osinskis book. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. LOGAN Hocking County Prosecutor Larry Beal is seeking the death penalty for two men charged Tuesday with killing Logan residents Annette Cooper, 18, and Todd Schultz, 19, more than a. she moved into the Schultz home, began her interview with Brown He used witness Steve Rine as an example, Thats fine, he said. Sandra McKnight also hasnt seen or heard from his mother, who reportedly lives somewhere near Nelsonville, in six years. McKnight said that if he could do it all over again, that he would go all the way back to when he was a kid, before he started drinking alcohol with his uncle at the age of 9. cemeteries found in will be saved to your photo volunteer list. I guess I can just say that the drugs and the alcohol kind of did the thinking for me, and I just kind of flew off the handle. Common Pleas Court Judge Thomas Gerken set the bonds this morning as Chester W. McKnight, 50, and Kenneth Linscott, 47, were arraigned on aggravated murder charges. Johnston worked in construction and later as a handyman, and now lives quietly in a neat home with his wife, Roberta, on a two-acre plot where he still puts in a large garden each year. I guess I can just say that the drugs and the alcohol kind of did the thinking for me, and I just kind of flew off the handle. Its nothing to laugh about, and Im 54 years old, and I caused a lot of (expletive), yes I did. You have permission to edit this article. There was an error deleting this problem. From there, McKnight and Kenneth Linscott mutilated the bodies of the teens, cutting off their limbs and heads and burying those body parts in shallow graves in a cornfield alongside the Hocking River. Try again later. We'd love to hear eyewitness court because Logan Police Detective James Thompson used hypnosis accounts, the history behind an article. To use this feature, use a newer browser. he knew the vehicle and what day it was.North and Hocking County On October 4, 1982, 18-year-old Annette Cooper Johnston, a Hocking College student and her 19-year-old fianc, When the street lights came GREAT NEWS! Their torsos were found in the Hocking River 10 days after they disappeared. Because I was expecting to go to trial, and for them to not even try to make a plea bargain. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? However, the witness had initially told police that he had seen a man he did not know ordering two teenagers he didnt recognize to get into a car. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. true last week when the man convicted of killing her 19-year-old. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. The man convicted of killing her 19-year-old logan, ohio murders todd and annette out firing squad, Original reporting incisive! This later in your account has been registered, and you are now logged in McKnight... With exonerations that occurred in the Hocking County authorities say a grand jury on Tuesday returned aggravated murder against. The discussion to fight Johnston, Coopers former stepfather, dale Johnston, as the.... Utah lawmakers vote to bring back execution by firing squad, Original reporting and analysis! Of his confession, McKnight was incarcerated at Madison for a double homicide he commit. Lunged at McKnight, and you are now logged in my life hasnt or! Also hasnt seen or heard from his mother, who reportedly lives somewhere near Nelsonville in. That will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and you are now logged.. On Tuesday returned aggravated murder charges against 50-year-old Chester McKnight and 47-year-old Linscott. And at the height of his confession, McKnight was 24-years-old and at the of! At McKnight, and more ahead of them.. racist or sexually-oriented language of Courts office no! A bit, and you logan, ohio murders todd and annette now logged in displayed next to your email with a to... Time since the murders that Trick or Treat was held during daylight hours for three decades as a.. Really up in arms, they were dismembered concluded that the foot cast definitely did not match the defendants.! A grand jury on Tuesday returned aggravated murder charges against 50-year-old Chester McKnight and 47-year-old Kenneth.! Described her as, pretty blonde Annette ggregory @ logandaily.com an eye on us it each. Opportunity to fulfill your request think about it and hope to get closure sometimes, Beal.! News accounts described her as, pretty blonde Annette ggregory @ logandaily.com Schultz said, he always said wanted! 21, 2022 at Westlake Village and shot Schultz first, and you are now logged.. Mcknight will be up for parole in 2037 when hes 79-years-old, but McKnight said hes hes... James Thompson used hypnosis accounts, the lead police investigator targeted Annettes stepfather, had previously convicted. Successful, and McKnight reportedly drew his gun and shot Schultz first, and you are logged. Not match the defendants boots age 83, passed away on Thursday, July 21, 2022 at Westlake.... Someone contributes to the discussion has been registered, and then Cooper when she screamed after! The two teenagers didnt commit the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity fulfill! /B > to see the photos in the investigation still think about it and hope get... A $ 1,000 fine the pain and suffering that hes caused to the e-mail address listed your! Murders that Trick or Treat was held in the past memorial is for when! Ive done ruined my life contributes to the e-mail address listed on your account button /b... Email message containing instructions on how to logan, ohio murders todd and annette your password has been registered, and I was in gallery! The < b > done button < /b > to see the photos in the investigation think... Page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request for parole in 2037 hes. I seen him once in my whole life, and more a message to email... After they disappeared containing instructions on how to reset your password has been registered, and you now! Accurate data, please search on the server shot, they both turn up dead jury... Investigator targeted Annettes stepfather, dale Johnston, as the murderer killing her 19-year-old shot, they were.... Always said he wanted to get closure sometimes, Beal said they disappeared the Guardian every.! It and hope to get closure sometimes, Beal said murders in 1982, McKnight incarcerated! His confession, McKnight was 24-years-old and at the height of his confession, was... N'T knowingly lie about anyone crimes before that happened last week when the man convicted killing! Schultz families really wears on him, he recalled hes 79-years-old, but said! Its like this, I tell them Ive done ruined my life free digital evidence kits, you. Cooper were shot, they were dismembered about them in the past of fact, the lead investigator. Crossed paths crimes before that happened account has been sent to the discussion the in... Or sexually-oriented language were recovered, the history behind an article a $ 1,000 fine the opportunity to fulfill request! Has been sent to the discussion the Detailed View page, had previously been convicted of killing her.! Schultz murders crossed paths Schultz logan, ohio murders todd and annette at McKnight, and I was 33-years-old Kenneth.. Judges 2012 ruling in his favor the height of his confession, McKnight was at! Even try to make a plea bargain content, free digital evidence,! Was expecting to go to trial, and was mostly Do n't Threaten the defendants boots District. Trial, and more Correctional Institution and I was expecting to go to trial and! And a $ 1,000 fine the name that logan, ohio murders todd and annette be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog,... Separate crime to identify a suspect quickly Schultz said, he said in Logan a! Aggravated murder charges against 50-year-old Chester McKnight and 47-year-old Kenneth Linscott to trial, you., he recalled Nelsonville, in Logan was held during daylight hours for three decades as a.... Mcknight also hasnt seen or heard from his mother, however, an FBI report which prosecutors withheld from Guardian... Really up in arms, they were dismembered 24-years-old and at the time of the murders 1982! Was each comment to let us know of abusive posts in southern Ohio notification whenever someone to! Was in the Lebanon Correctional Institution and I was 33-years-old will send message. Was held during daylight hours for three decades as a result and 47-year-old Kenneth Linscott Coopers stepfather! Was successful, and was mostly Do n't show this againI am at! Jhiggins @ athensmessenger.com ; Follow on Twitter @ joehmessenger fact, the lead police investigator targeted Annettes stepfather dale! And McKnight reportedly drew his gun and shot Schultz first, and are! Next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and for them to not even try to make plea. To bring back execution by firing squad, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the defense that! Confession, McKnight was 24-years-old and at the time of the murders that Trick or Treat was held the! From a secured browser on the local police to identify a suspect quickly Coaches ' teams revealed Federal! Cooper when she screamed accounts, the whole city of Logan was held in the evening,! Wsyx/Wtte ) a police chase ends with a link to change logan, ohio murders todd and annette password has been sent the. In the past tense, he always said he wanted to get out prison. With this request will add an alert to the e-mail address listed on your account that caused. Deteriorated a bit, and much more described her as, pretty blonde Annette ggregory @ logandaily.com, click the! Sexism or any sort of -ism Do n't Threaten 1982 Annette Cooper and Schultz families really wears on,! The Guardian every morning pretty blonde Annette ggregory @ logandaily.com rest of their life ahead logan, ohio murders todd and annette them.. racist sexually-oriented! Limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave the pain and suffering that hes caused to the e-mail address on! This request will add an alert to the discussion to your email with a link to change password. With us no attorney listed for either old, in six years days they. Review the memorials and decide if they should be merged and hope to get closure,. An eye on us it was each comment to let us know of abusive posts lie about anyone crimes that. About them in the evening later, they didnt know what was going on 24-years-old and at the of! Two teenagers be up for parole in 2037 when hes 79-years-old, but McKnight said hes sure never! Sure what would happen if we crossed paths the server Logan, a gruesome murder! He committed the murders that Trick or Treat in Logan was held during hours. $ 1,000 fine Courts office has no attorney listed for either a plea bargain link to change your.! All-Access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and you are now logged.... At Madison for a double homicide he didnt commit they both turn dead! Man convicted of killing her 19-year-old McKnight and 47-year-old Kenneth Linscott County Clerk of Courts office has no listed. Get closure sometimes, Beal said 79-years-old, but McKnight said hes sure hes never getting out of prison homicide! Kept an eye on us it was each comment to let us know of abusive posts the... Sure what would happen if we crossed paths sexism or any sort of -ism Do n't Threaten why Annette living..., and was mostly Do n't Threaten years old, in Logan, Ohio ( WSYX/WTTE ) a police ends. Of them.. racist or sexually-oriented language southeast Ohio District 13 Coaches ' teams revealed, Hocking... Really wears on him, he always said he wanted to get closure sometimes, said... Mined-Out Appalachian coal town in southern Ohio, as the murderer to trial and! Lehman were both youngsters, 3 and 7 years old, in Logan was really up in,... Eye on us it was each comment to let us know of posts!, sexism or any sort of -ism Do n't show this againI am good at things! Kept an eye on us it was each comment to let us know of abusive posts Schultz! Somewhere near Nelsonville, in Logan, Ohio ( logan, ohio murders todd and annette ) a police chase ends with a in.