Lawrence Resident Convicted of 2nd Degree Murder

11/07/2008
PRESS RELEASE RELEASE DATE: 11/07/08 CONTACT INFO: Charles Branson Douglas County District Attorney 785-841-0211 cbranson@douglas-county.com Lawrence Resident Convicted of 2nd Degree Murder in February Beating Death of Lawrence Resident Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces Lawrence resident Shanna R. Friday, 37, was convicted today of murder in the second degree for her part in the February beating of death of 62 year old Jerry L. DeShazer. Friday's trial began Monday in the Division One Courtroom. The jury was selected Monday morning, opening statements were made Monday afternoon, testimony continued throughout the week and the case went to the jury around 10:30 this morning. The jury deliberated for approximately 4 1/2 hours before returning its verdict. Lawrence Police were called to the victim's mobile home on February 2nd after a woman entered his east Lawrence home looking for him and found him deceased in the bathroom. The victim's normally very neat home was in shambles after Friday and her long time friend Jerod E. Buffalohead, 36, (State v. Buffalohead/2008CR180) repeatedly beat the victim. On September 4, 2008 Buffalohead pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 61 months in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections. Friday who depending on her prior criminal history faces 109-493 months in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections. She will be sentenced on December 9th at 11:00 a.m. in Division One. The Honorable Robert W. Fairchild presided over the case. It was prosecuted by District Attorney Charles Branson and Chief Assistant District Attorney Amy McGowan. The case was investigated by the Lawrence Police Department. -30-

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Douglas County District Attorney - http://www.dgcoda.com

Media Contact:
Cheryl L. Wright-Assistant to the District Attorney
District Attorney's Office
785-841-0211
cwright@douglas-county.com