Sentencing is scheduled today for 33-year-old Ray Shetler Jr., the New Florence man who was found not guilty of the murder of Saint Clair Township Police Officer Lloyd Reed Jr. in November of 2015, but was convicted on charges of theft and receiving stolen property on the night Officer Reed was shot.
In February, a Westmoreland County jury acquitted Shetler on charges of first degree and third degree murder. He was also found not guilty on domestic violence-related charges in connection with the assault of his girlfriend, Kristen Luther, at her New Florence home. Officer Reed was responding to Luther’s 911 call when he confronted Shetler outside of the home and the two exchanged gunfire.
After the shooting, Shetler swam to the Indiana County side of the Conemaugh River, where he stole a pickup truck from a nearby power plant in an attempt to escape. That truck broke down before he got far, and he was later arrested.
The theft and receiving charges carry with them combined maximum sentences of up to seven years. Today’s sentencing is scheduled for 9 AM before Westmoreland County Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio.
