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Open in new tab January 12, 2026 – Today, Elijah Roberts, a 19-year-old Columbus man, pleaded guilty to Aggravated Murder (an unclassified felony) with a 1-year firearm specification and Tampering with Evidence (a felony of the third degree). Immediately following his plea, Delaware County Common Pleas Court Judge Marianne T. Hemmeter sentenced him to life in prison with parole eligibility after 27 years. This was a jointly recommended sentence by the parties.
This homicide was investigated by Detectives with the Homicide Unit of the Columbus Police Department, and prosecuted by Melissa Schiffel, Prosecuting Attorney and Dan Cogley, Major Crimes Assistant Prosecutor for Delaware County.