Norman Sentenced in Teen’s Death

A Zanesville man who shot and killed a teenage girl has been sentenced to a minimum of 12 years in prison and up to 17 and a half years.

22-year-old Donavan Norman had plead guilty in November to involuntary manslaughter with a firearm specification. While he was originally charged with murder, the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office felt it was best for the victim and her family to reduce the charge to assure justice.

“The goal of our office is to always obtain the maximum amount of justice that the law allows; however, there are times when that is not possible. Unfortunately, this case represents one of those times,” Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron Welch said. “The death of a juvenile caused by an adult is unexplainable and no amount of justice will change the hurt felt by the victim’s family, friends or our community.”

Zanesville Police said on May 31, 2021 they were called to a home at 1367 Maysville Avenue on a report of a teen who had been shot. When they arrived they found 16-year-old Rhandi Freitag in critical condition, she was rushed to the hospital and was later pronounced dead.

Authorities said the shooting took place as a result of an argument between the teen and Norman.