Marshall County Prosecuting Attorney, Nelson Chipman filed an affidavit of probable cause in Marshall Superior Court I to charge a Warsaw man with attempted murder and several other charges following an incident Monday evening.
Monday evening about 5:20 the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call from Allison Scheffer at 16585 18B Road. She said her father, Gregory Scheffer had battered Paul Russo and stuck a gun in Mr. Russo’s mouth. Mr. Scheffer had left the residence at a high rate of speed prior to officer arrival.
County Officer Jonathan Bryant responded to the home and found Mr. Russo with obvious injuries to his face and head with blood coming from his nose and a cut on his head.
During the investigation Allison Scheffer told the officer her parents, Gregory and Rebecca Scheffer had come to the home she shared with Russo about 3:30 Monday afternoon and both appeared to be intoxicated. An argument began over dirty dished in the sink with Mr. Scheffer becoming angry that his wife was doing the dishes. Trying to keep things from escalating Allison began doing the dishes and her mother, Rebecca gather her beers and cleaning supplies and heads outside when her husband, Gregory knocks the bag out of her hand causing her to sustain an injury to her arm.
Mr. Scheffer begins a conversation with Paul Russo outside. A short time later he walks in the house and hands Allison Mr. Russo’s gun and flees the home at a high rate of speed.
As the investigation continued Mr. Russo told officers Mr. Scheffer “went ballistic” striking him with his closed fist and punching him. Falling to the ground Mr. Scheffer gets on top of Russo and continues to batter him eventually taking his pistol out of its holster and strikes the back of his head repeatedly. At one point it is alleged that Mr. Scheffer stuck the barrel of the gun in Paul Russo’s mouth and said, “you want to shoot me this is how you do it…1, 2, 3, BAM!” Fearing for his life Russo calls for Allison Scheffer and the fight stops and Gregory Scheffer leaves the 18B Road address at a high rate of speed presumably heading toward his residence in Warsaw.
Gregory Scheffer was located later Monday evening at his residence in Warsaw by Kosciusko County Deputies. He was taken into custody but not without incident. Scheffer is currently being held in the Kosciusko County Jail for resisting law enforcement.
A warrant for Gregory Paul Scheffer was issued for Count 1 – Attempted Murder a level 1 Felony, Count II – Battery by Means of a Deadly Weapon a level 5 Felony, Count III – Domestic Battery a level 6 Felony and Count IV – Intimidation a level 5 Felony.
Listeners and readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is merely an allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.
