October 4th, 2018 by WCBC Radio
The Cumberland Times News reports a panel of judges used few words and little explanation in its written decision regarding Megan Shaffer's request to reduce her prison sentence. Shaffer, 21, of Ridgeley, West Virginia, was charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter and assisting another to commit or attempt to commit suicide in the death of Alexander Stevens, 24, of Frostburg. Stevens was found dead, naked, and with his throat slashed at the bottom of a cliff, known as High Rock, on Jan. 4 last year within the Savage River State Forest in Garrett County near Pine Swamp Road. In December, Shaffer entered a not guilty plea to all counts. A 12-member jury found her guilty of second-degree murder at Garrett County Circuit Court in March.
On July 25, Garrett County Circuit Court Judge Raymond Strubin sentenced Shaffer to 30 years in prison to be served in the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services for the crime of second-degree murder.
Shaffer now resides at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women in Jessup, about a two-hour drive from Cumberland.
Shaffer's Application for Review of Sentence was filed at the Garrett County courthouse on Aug. 17.
Fourth Circuit Administrative Judge W. Timothy Finan appointed the panel of Judge Mark K. Boyer, Judge Jeffrey S. Getty and himself, with Boyer to serve as chairperson.
On Tuesday, the judges issued their decision in a brief court order that states:
"Upon consideration of the Application for Review of Sentence and further examination of the proceedings by the Three Judge Panel, and finding the sentence imposed to be reasonable and appropriate, it is hereby (ordered that the sentence is) AFFIRMED."
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