MOUNT GILEAD — Dan and Julie Sherrer may have spared the life of the man who killed their son.
The parents of slain Morrow County Sheriff’s Deputy Daniel “Weston” Sherrer, 31, were supportive of dropping the death penalty specification against Brian Wilson.
With the death penalty off the table, Wilson, 53, of Marengo, pleaded guilty as charged to 14 counts on May 6, including aggravated murder, for the May 26, 2025, shooting of Sherrer. The first two counts carried gun and forfeiture specifications.
“I support Dan and Julie, his mom and dad,” Sheriff John Hinton said after the hearing. “They were the ones that wanted this just to be over.
“I support them 100%. I have no problems with it. I actually would have an issue if myself or the prosecutor’s office or someone from my team didn’t.”
Visiting Judge James Kimbler, retired, from Medina County, told Wilson that he would receive life without the possibility of parole plus 27 years at his May 26 sentencing, exactly one year after the incident.
In all, Wilson pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated murder, murder, three counts of felonious assault, two counts of attempt to commit a felony offense, domestic violence, improperly discharging a firearm at or into a habitation, discharging of a firearm on or near prohibited premises, two counts of possession of criminal tools and a misdemeanor count of using weapons while intoxicated.
In exchange for his plea, prosecutors dismissed all the other specifications. Wilson also agreed to waive any appeals.
Prosecutor Andrew Wick reviewed the incident, which happened last Memorial Day at Wilson’s residence.
Slain deputy responded to domestic disturbance
“The defendant discharged a firearm at his brother-in-law. He reloaded and discharged his firearm again as the brother-in-law tried to flee on the roadway,” Wick said. “One of the rounds that the defendant discharged struck a neighbor’s residence, striking the living room wall.”
Sherrer responded to the subsequent 911 call.
“The defendant was able to identify that he was a law enforcement official,” Wick said. “The defendant issued a number of warnings, telling the victim that he needed to leave, or he would never see his family again.”
Wilson fired at Sherrer a number of times.
“It was determined that the defendant was intoxicated and impaired at the time he discharged his firearm,” Wick said.
Wick issued a statement after the hearing.
“Today’s plea represents the first meaningful step toward closure for Dan, Julie and Alex (Lyon, his fiancee),” the prosecutor said. “Over the past year, they and their families have shown extraordinary strength, grace and compassion in the face of an unimaginable loss.
“This community has likewise demonstrated unwavering support for those who serve and protect. The strong reactions to the dismissal of the death penalty reflect that commitment, and those voices have been heard and considered in this decision.”
Wick said the case has been about ensuring justice that is “certain, final and meaningful.”
Prosecutor explains decision to drop death penalty specification
“In exercising my discretion, I considered the facts of the case, the position of Deputy Sherrer’s family and law enforcement, who requested and support this resolution, along with the practical realities surrounding capital litigation,” the prosecutor said.
The trial, which had been scheduled for next month, had recently been pushed back to January 2027. Wick also pointed out that no candidates for Ohio governor have indicated they would resume executions. In addition, he said any death sentence would include decades of mandatory appeals.
“Those factors would prolong uncertainty in this case for many years and risk denying the family and this community the finality they deserve,” Wick said.
He further thanked the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office for its dedication to the investigation, as well as anyone involved with the case.
The case has drawn a great deal of media coverage. Several Columbus TV stations were on hand Wednesday, with only one photographer permitted in the courtroom.
Seven of Sherrer’s loved ones and five members of the sheriff’s office filled the jury box of the small courtroom. Officers from other law enforcement agencies also were on hand.
Wilson, wearing a gray-and-white jail jumpsuit and orange flip-flops, filed past the media to the defense table with Kirk McVay of the Ohio Public Defender’s Office and Kandra Roberts.
At one point, Kimbler told Wilson about post-release control, then caught himself.
“If you’re released from prison, which isn’t going to happen,” the judge said.
Outside the courthouse, Hinton affectionately referred to Sherrer as a “kid.”
“The kid always had a smile on his face, was always personal,” the sheriff said. “Getting to know his mom and dad, I see a lot of his dad in him. It’s almost like talking to the same person.”
Hinton said signs in Sherrer’s honor would be erected at the sheriff’s office while also renaming a portion of U.S. 42 for the deputy.
“We’ll never forget, but we’ll keep moving on,” Hinton said.
Reach Mark Caudill at 419-521-7219 or via X at @MarkCau32059251.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Marengo man pleads guilty to killing Morrow County sheriff’s deputy
Reporting by Mark Caudill, Mansfield News Journal / Mansfield News Journal
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