CINCINNATI (OHIO) –
A Cincinnati-area family is devastated after their loved one’s accused killer had his sentence overturned.
In May 2023, Troy Dunkelberger, 35, of West Chester, was found guilty of first-degree manslaughter in connection with the June 2020 shooting death of 31-year-old Jarron Slayback.
At the time, Dunkelberger was sentenced to 20 years.
The shooting that took the life of Slayback happened in Wolfe County, Kentucky, while he was on a trip to Red River Gorge with a group of friends, including Dunkelberger.
Slayback’s mom and sister told FOX19 NOW Tuesday that they knew Dunkelberger was undergoing the court appeal process but were shocked to learn that his conviction had been overturned.
“We have to do this all over again,” said Slayback’s sister, Megan Simpson.
“After five years, we finally got to a place where we could talk about Jarron and not think about Troy,” Slayback’s mother, Angela Stewart, said.
Kentucky State Police troopers said Dunkelberger shot Slayback after the two got into an argument.
Simpson was there when the shooting happened, and says that Dunkelberger claimed Slayback was “his brother and best friend.”
The family already endured one trial in 2023, where Dunkelberger was found guilty of shooting Slayback and was sentenced to decades behind bars.
However, the Kentucky Supreme Court recently overturned Dunkelberger’s conviction.
“I felt like I was right back there driving home from that one night all over again,” Simpson said. “It was awful.”
Stewart shared that she couldn’t leave bed for days after learning the news.
“I didn’t think it was real,” Stewart said. “I thought, this has to be a huge mistake. There’s no way. I wouldn’t wish this on any family out there or any victim’s family out there.”
Court documents explain that there wasn’t enough evidence and the jury could have believed Dunkelberger “acted in legitimate, but imperfect, self-defense,” and could have been convicted of second-degree manslaughter or reckless homicide.
“We didn’t get a chance to appeal his appeal, from our standpoint,” Simpson said.
“It’s just so unfair, because Troy wants a second chance,” Stewart stated. “Where’s Jarron’s second chance?”
Slayback’s family is unsure when the subsequent trial will be scheduled, but they hope it takes place as soon as possible.
Dunkelberger will remain in jail at the Green River Correctional Complex in Central City, Kentucky, until his new trial.
