Execution Scheduled for Stumpf

The man convicted of the 1984 shooting death of a Guernsey County woman has his execution date set. 

The Ohio Supreme Court said John Stumpf is scheduled to die January 3 of 2018. He was convicted of shooting to death 54-year-old Mary Jane Stout. 

Prosecutors said on May 14 1984 Stumpf along with two other men were drinking near Washington, Pennsylvania when they decided to drive along Interstate 70. They pulled over in Guernsey County and Stumpf along with another man walked into the home of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Stout. 

They were let in the home to use the phone. That’s when prosecutor’s say Stumpf and his accomplice told the Stouts they were being robbed. 

During a scuffle Norman Stout was shot twice in the head. Stout’s wife Mary Jane was shot four times and later died of her injuries. 

Prior to trial Stumpf plead guilty to aggravated murder, aggravated attempted murder and the specification of using a firearm to commit a felony. 

Over time Stumpf has argued his death penalty be set aside, arguing new evidence after his trial indicated another man may have fired the shots that killed Mary Jane.