08 November 2023- “Is this the day they’re going to finally finish the job?”, asked State’s Prosecuting Attorney Jonathan Faust during today’s sentencing of Robert William Ransom.
Ransom was convicted by a jury of his peers of ten total counts in late September and was sentenced this morning by Judge Mary Beth Shank on attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault of a designated individual, firearm carried without a license, DUI, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest, marijuana possession, and assault of law enforcement. Ransom’s charge of F1 aggravated assault of a law enforcement official was merged with his charge of attempted murder of an officer.
Ransom is set to serve at least 441 months and three days, or 36 years and 8 months and three days in a state correctional institute for his crimes. The maximum sentence possible for Ransom is 982 months and three days, or 81 years, 10 months and three days.
Attorney Faust argued for at least 47 years and three days to 100 years and six months, a maximum sentence for Ransom’s crimes. Defense Attorney Shawn Stottlemyer asked for 20 years and 3 days, the minimum sentence.
“This is something he is going to carry through with him the rest of his life,” Faust argued as to the effects that Ransom had on both Trooper Jason Brindle and his family. Brindle was shot and wounded by Ransom following a standard traffic stop in February of 2020. Faust continued, asking whether Trooper Brindle and Trooper Michael Garbacik would have to fear for their well beings if Ransom was not sufficiently rehabilitated and was released back into the free world.
The prosecution also argued for a societal effect to be taken into consideration by Judge Shank, asking how many people would get into law enforcement if they were “called a white motherf***er then get shot. Who would want to do that job?”.
Another reason for extended sentencing brought forth by both Attorney Faust and later Judge Shank in her decision was the repeated petty but escalating offenses that Ransom has been subject to in prison. Starting at his time of initial incarceration, Ransom reportedly didn’t dress properly, didn’t show his identification card to staff, interfered with medication and more. In July of 2023 prior to his trial, jail authorities say that Ransom had given his cell mate his tablet to make a series of unsanctioned video calls. This then culminated in him stealing soda from the vending machine in August and finally fighting another inmate on October 8th. Ransom had been convicted on September 27th, only about a week and a half before.
Defense Attorney Stottlemyer asked for leniency, repeatedly using phrases similar to “throw himself at the mercy of the court” in relation to Ransom. He also cited multiple character letters sent to Judge Shank, which painted a much kinder version of Ransom. Additionally, Stottlemyer said that since these actions were taken when Ransom was young, he was only 20 at the time and 23 today, he could be successfully rehabilitated in a shorter amount of time.
Judge Mary Beth Shank denied the last notion, saying “You were not a juvenile, you were not a young person, you were not a kid”. Taking into account the previous conduct in the jail and the fact multiple court officials including the prosecuting attorney and defense attorney saw a “double” character in Ransom, Judge Shank sentenced Ransom to just under at 40 years at the minimum in a SCI.
“I cannot only support Robert Ransom” of the letters and what he has showed to some people, Judge Shank motioned. “I cannot only support the Robert Ransom of February 29th, 2020”, she finished.
Robert Ransom has been remanded into the custody of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. He is to be turned over to a state correctional institute soon after.
