Minnesota Man Sentenced After Leaving Girlfriend to Die in Ditch Following Argument and Drunken Driving Incident
BECKER, MINNESOTA — A 35-year-old Minnesota man will spend less than a year behind bars after authorities say he failed to stop and help his girlfriend, who died after leaping from his moving truck during an argument earlier this year.
Judge Walter M. Kaminsky sentenced Johnathan James Schafer to 364 days in jail — with 175 days credited for time served — and three years of probation for his role in the death of 23-year-old Julia Marie Marthaler, according to court records reviewed by Law&Crime.
Fight in Moving Truck Ends in Tragedy
According to a probable cause affidavit, the incident unfolded on the night of May 15 when Schafer’s mother called 911, reporting that her son had just told her “his girlfriend jumped out of his truck.”
A second 911 call came minutes later from a friend, who said Schafer had told her the same thing — that Marthaler jumped from the truck, was “unresponsive,” and that he had left her near a cemetery before driving to Becker City Park.
When officers located Schafer at the park, they said he smelled strongly of alcohol and had blood on his hands and truck door. A shotgun was also found in the backseat.
Investigators later discovered Marthaler’s body in a ditch, several feet from 140th Avenue Southeast, suffering from severe trauma. Authorities said Schafer spent over 40 minutes calling family and friends after the fall instead of contacting emergency services.
Defendant Moved Victim’s Body Before Leaving Scene
Schafer told police that the two had been drinking at a bar earlier that evening and were driving on rural roads when an argument broke out. He said Marthaler “jumped out of the vehicle,” and when he checked on her and saw she wasn’t responding, he panicked and drove away after seeing another car’s headlights approaching.
Judge Kaminsky called Schafer’s actions “unusually cruel,” noting that after Marthaler’s fall, Schafer moved her body into taller grass, making it harder for rescuers to find her.
Sentence Exceeds Guidelines but Avoids Prison
Schafer pleaded guilty in September to felony failure to stop after a crash resulting in death and misdemeanor DWI. While the judge imposed a two-year suspended prison sentence, Schafer will only serve additional time if he violates probation.
As part of his sentencing, Schafer must:
- Abstain from alcohol and drugs
- Undergo substance abuse and mental health treatment
- Complete a driver improvement course
Judge Condemns ‘Unusually Cruel’ Conduct
Judge Kaminsky said the extended suspended sentence went beyond typical state guidelines due to Schafer’s callous disregard for Marthaler’s life.
“This case involved unusually cruel treatment,” Kaminsky said, referencing Schafer’s decision to move Marthaler’s body and delay getting help.
Schafer will serve the remainder of his sentence in a local jail and remain under probationary supervision for three years.
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