Prosecutor ‘vigorously opposes’ John Carter’s request for early prison release
By Matthew Dietz
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BUTLER COUNTY, Ohio (WLWT) — The man serving time for the death of Katelyn Markham is asking a judge to let him out of prison early and Butler County’s prosecutor is responding.
Katelyn Markham disappeared from her Fairfield townhome in August 2011, and her remains were found almost two years later in Indiana.
It took a decade, but in 2023, Carter was indicted for murder.
Last year, right before he was supposed to go on trial, he pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to three years in prison, the maximum sentence allowed under Ohio law.
Now, 15 months into his sentence, Carter’s attorneys are asking for his early release, saying he has been a model inmate and will do everything necessary to never return to prison.
This week, Butler County prosecutor Mike Gmoser filed a lengthy response to that request, saying his office “vigorously opposes” it.
Gmoser said Carter has never expressed remorse for Katelyn’s death or offered an apology to her family.
“The State of Ohio agrees with popular sentiment that three years is way too short a time to lose his liberty as the court imposed to a maximum. Too short a time for punishment as provided by the laws of this state. Nevertheless, he should serve every millisecond of the maximum sentence imposed in the sole discretion of the Court and nothing less,” Gmoser said.
The request will now go to a judge, who will either deny the motion or grant a hearing on the matter.
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