Aaron Schmidt, a man who got tangled in the legal system due to his actions has been in the spotlight lately. If you are interested in the recent happenings involving this individual, you are in the right place.
Back in 2013, Schmidt received a life sentence without the possibility of parole for a murder he committed in 2010. After a resentencing hearing in 2020, his sentence was reduced. In this article, we will discuss about Aaron Schmidt and how he ended up in prison.
Contents
Who Is Aaron Schmidt?
Aaron Schmidt was a 14-year-old boy whose life took a dark turn when he was convicted of the murder of his ex-girlfriend back in 2011.
Unlike other kids, Aaron’s upbringing was not an ideal one. Growing up, he dealt with his parents’ separation. He was forced to live with his half-sister, where he faced additional problems, causing life-long trauma.
On 31st January 2011, Aaron mercilessly killed his ex-girlfriend, Alana Calahan. Reports suggest that Aaron had been planning this crime for weeks before ultimately carrying out the murder of his ex-girlfriend.
In an attempt to escape suspicion, Aaron dragged Alana’s lifeless body into the woods. As the investigation progressed, Aaron eventually confessed to shooting Alana Calahan, claiming it was accidental. His confession led to his arrest.
In February 2012, Aaron found himself convicted of not just murder but also other related crimes, including theft, firearm possession, and aggravated assault, all without the possibility of parole.
However, since he was a minor at the time of the crime, he had the chance to appeal his sentence and get his sentence reduced.
Aaron Schmidt’s Initial Sentence
Back in 2010, Aaron Schmidt found himself facing a second-degree murder conviction along with other associated charges. In 2013, he was given a life sentence behind bars without any possibility of parole.
This judgment was based on the heinous nature of Aaron’s crime, with the court deeming him a threat to society. However, despite the gravity of his sentence, Schmidt was given a chance to appeal his case to the Supreme Court.
In his original case, he argued that the court had failed to consider the mitigating factors of his situation. These included Schmidt’s willingness to take responsibility for his actions.
Aaron Schmidt’s Resentencing
In 2020, Aaron Schmidt was given a chance to have his sentence reconsidered. Since Aaron was a minor at the time of the crime, he got the chance to appeal for a new sentence.
On 8th December 2020, a judge in Cuyahoga County gave Aaron Schmidt a new sentence of thirteen years in prison. In 2012, when he was 15, he got a life sentence without parole.
Back then, they treated Aaron like an adult, and he got a life sentence. His lawyers said he was treated unfairly because of his race and asked for a lighter sentence.
In July 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court said it’s not right to make young people serve life sentences. This made the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office ask the judge to change Aaron’s sentence.
Final Words
Aaron Schmidt’s case shows that the justice system is trying to be fairer, especially for young people who make big mistakes. He got a chance for a new sentence, which was not as harsh as the first one.
