What began 17 months ago as a manhunt for Craig Oxley’s shooter ended yesterday when Matthew Wolfe pleaded guilty to three felonies and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Wolfe pleaded guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter, one count of attempted aggravated drug trafficking and one count of tampering with evidence.
He was sentenced to a total of 10 years in prison, the maximum sentence for the crimes, Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn said.
Judge Goldsberry said Wolfe will be given credit for the 528 days he has already served in prison.
In addition to the prison sentence, Wolfe was ordered by the court to pay $300 in restitution to Oxley’s family, and Wolfe’s vehicle was forfeited to the state.
The day of his death, Craig Oxley was driving Steven Hunter to Matthew Wolfe’s residence in The Plains with the intention of buying drugs, Blackburn said. While inside Wolfe’s house, Wolfe and Hunter had an unknown dispute and Hunter stole money from Wolfe, Blackburn said.
Hunter fled to Oxley’s car and as he was fleeing, Wolfe came out of his house with a gun and attempted to shoot Hunter, Blackburn said. The shot missed Hunter and hit Oxley, fatally wounding him, Blackburn said. Oxley died en route to a Columbus hospital.
Wolfe was offered the plea deal for two reasons: The county followed precedent from a previous decision in 2009 and Oxley’s family wanted closure, Blackburn said.
“The family of the victim was ready for this to come to an end,” Blackburn said. “Now they have closure.”
sm366909@ohiou.edu
