Supporters,

On July 3, 1999, Charles Sheppard and Airry Massey gunned down Aaron Pickering, 23, during an armed robbery at a Rent-A-Center (aka Get It Now) store where he was working as a manager. When police arrived at the scene, the cash drawer was open and the money had been taken. Aaron was found on the floor behind the counter with a gunshot wound to his left cheek. Aaron was only 23 years old, just beginning his life, and in the process of becoming a police officer. 

When Charles Sheppard and Airry Massey initially went to commit the crime, they decided that their gun was not big enough and went in search of a larger, more “effective” gun. Once they were satisfied with having a bigger gun, the two drove to the store and asked Aaron for the money in the register, he surrendered the money, but was shot point blank in the cheek anyways. Aaron died right there on the floor.  

Six weeks after the murder, Charles Sheppard and Airry Massey were arrested for this crime and charged with First Degree Intentional Homicide. Both had previous criminal records, and Sheppard had just been released from incarceration a few weeks before committing the armed robbery and murder of Aaron Pickering. 

Initially charged with first degree intentional homicide, Charles Sheppard and Airry Massey each made a deal with the prosecutor and agreed to plead guilty to felony murder. Massey was subsequently sentenced to 50 years in prison and Sheppard was sentenced to 60 years in prison, escaping a life sentence for their crime. 

In 1999, the maximum sentence for Felony Murder was 60 years in prison. The 1999 law also stated that after serving 25 percent of the sentence, a person would be eligible for parole. In addition, mandatory release from prison occurs after serving just 2/3 of the sentence, which for Massey will be 40 years and for Sheppard a maximum of 50 years. They will have served less than 23 years when they are again considered for parole in December of 2022. 

Aaron Pickering was the son of Patricia and Bruce Pickering, brother of Sheryl Pickering, and uncle of Mariah Mickelson. Family members who, due to the actions of Charles Sheppard, were unable to grow up and benefit from the positive influences of Aaron include Nikolaus Niman, Paige Niman, Madelyn Eggers, Sophia Harrison, Skylyn Mickelson Whitt, and Oaklyn Mickelson Whitt. 

We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens who STRONGLY OPPOSE parole for Charles Sheppard and Airry Massey. Justice demands they serve the full prison term given to them at the time they were sentenced for this heinous crime.

Length between parole hearings is quickly shortening!!