Mother of murder victim Stephanie Minter calls out lenient policies amid DOJ investigation
Cheryl Minter, the mother of Stephanie Minter who was tragically murdered, has voiced her anger over the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s death. She holds particular frustration towards an illegal immigrant with a history of violent crime, who is accused of the killing. Cheryl accuses Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano of repeatedly showing leniency to this suspect. Her comments come amid news that the Department of Justice is investigating Descano for allegedly favoring illegal immigrants over citizens, sparking Cheryl’s call to prioritize American children and citizens in legal matters.
An Alabama woman received a life sentence on Friday after authorities revealed she had hired a hitman to eliminate her child’s father amid a custody battle.
Jaclyn Skuce, 43, a resident of Madison, was found guilty of capital murder. The Morgan County District Attorney’s Office reported that she had engaged a man to murder the father of her child in order to prevent him from securing custody or additional visitation rights.
On July 24, 2020, the Hartselle Police Department was called to a home for a welfare check after Anthony Larry Sheppard did not attend a scheduled custody hearing. Concerned, his attorney requested the police to look into his whereabouts, according to investigators.
When officers arrived, they discovered Sheppard’s storm door had been shattered and the main door was left open.
Jaclyn Skuce, 43, has been sentenced to life in prison for orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot against her child’s father, as confirmed by prosecutors. (Morgan County District Attorney’s Office)
Officers later found Sheppard dead with multiple gunshot wounds.
Investigators determined that Skuce hired Logan Delp to kill Sheppard in order to prevent him from gaining custody or further visitation with his child.
Prosecutors said Skuce used social media to hire the hitman, who lived in Hartselle, according to the Hartselle Enquirer. She allegedly offered to pay $30,000.
An Alabama woman was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted in a murder-for-hire case tied to a custody dispute. (Morgan County District Attorney’s Office)
“There are never any winners in a case like this,” Chief Assistant District Attorney Garrick Vickery said following the verdict. “This jury was incredibly thorough and took their time to make sure they made the right decision, both for Mr. Sheppard and for the defendant.”
Vickery added, “We are glad that they convicted her for the choice she made to take Mr. Sheppard away from his family.”
Skuce was found guilty of three counts of capital murder: murder for hire, murder of a witness, and murder committed by shooting into an occupied dwelling.
Four other defendants have been charged with capital murder in connection with Sheppard’s death.
Prosecutors said the defendant used social media to arrange a killing in exchange for payment. (Hartselle Police Department)
Delp was convicted of capital murder in October 2025, the DA’s office said. Another defendant has pleaded guilty, and two others are awaiting trial.
Skuce will be imprisoned without the possibility of parole in the Alabama Department of Corrections.
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