Shenandoah man indicted for first degree murder, assault

~ PVN staff report

LURAY, Jan. 4 — A Page County grand jury indicted a Shenandoah man in Page County Circuit Court last week on all four charges against him — including first degree murder — stemming from a mid-summer shooting at his property.

Scott Edward Simandl, 48, was apprehended at the scene on July 21, 2022 without incident — although he did first flee the scene on foot, according to an incident report, but was later apprehended on his porch at 225 Buzzard View Place. He is charged with two Class 2 felonies for the first degree murder of Jay Scott Campbell, and the aggravated malicious wounding of his son, Justice Campbell. In addition, Simandl faces two unclassified felonies for the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

During a bond hearing in August, Simandl’s attorney Jerri Fuller stated that his client had no criminal history, owned his own home in Shenandoah for the past four years, held a college degree and was employed as a biopharmaceutical engineer at Merck. One of his coworkers from Merck appeared in court to support him.

Jay Scott Campbell was found dead in his truck near the accused’s home on the day of the shooting. At the time of his testimony at the Aug. 24 bond hearing, Justice had already undergone one surgery at the U.Va. Medical Center, stating “he suffered multiple gunshot wounds in the abdomen, back and left foot,” according to the report. “Per hospital staff, the victim had several abdominal wounds as well as a fractured ankle, which would require an additional surgery to repair. The injuries to the surviving victim are severe and significant to cause physical impairment.”

The Campbells were neighbors with Simandl, who had previously made at least two calls to the Page County Sheriff’s Office over disputes with his neighbor. The defendant’s attorney stated that he would be claiming self-defense at trial since the shooting occurred on his property.

Simandl is scheduled to appear in court again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 11 for a status hearing.

Members of the Jan. 4 grand jury issued a true bill on a total of 27 indictments handed down last week on charges placed among 17 individuals. Others named among January indictments include:

• Walter Onley Supthin, of Luray, received two direct indictments on two Class 6 felonies for the assault and battery of a family member (third or subsequent offense). Both offenses and an arrest occurred on May 22, 2022, according to court records. Supthin is scheduled to appear in court again at 9 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 6 for a bond hearing.

• Elizabeth M. Smith, of Chesapeake, Va. was indicted on two Class 5 felonies for the possession of a Schedule I/II drug. Both offenses occurred on March 20, 2022, according to court records, with an arrest date for both of Aug. 8, 2022. Smith is scheduled to appear in court again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1 to show cause.

• Travis Michael Moore, of Stanardsville, Va., was indicted on two Class 5 felonies for the possession of a Schedule I/II drug. Both offenses and an arrest occurred on Aug. 23, 2022, according to court records. Moore is scheduled to appear in court again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 25 for a status hearing.

• Travis Lee Williams, of Shenandoah, was indicted on a Class 5 felony for possession of a Schedule I/II drug and an unclassified felony for the manufacturing and/or distribution of a Schedule I/II drug (second offense). Both offenses and an arrest occurred on July 11, 2022, according to court records. Following the issuance of indictments on Jan. 4, a capias warrant was issued for Williams’ arrest.

• Ashley Nichole Stelmach, of Luray, was indicted on a Class 5 felony for the possession of a Schedule I/II drug and a Class 1 misdemeanor for pettit larceny of less than $200 (not from person). The offenses occurred on Sept. 4, 2022, according to court records, with an arrest date of Oct. 26, 2022. Stelmach is scheduled to appear in court again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 1 for a status hearing.

• Jeremy Scott Haddock, of Luray, was indicted on a Class 5 felony for the possession of a Schedule I/II drug and a Class 2 misdemeanor for driving without a license. Both offenses and an arrest occurred on July 21, 2022, according to court records. Haddock is scheduled to appear in court again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 11 for further proceedings.

• Raymond Ryan Houde, of Chesapeake, Va. was indicted on a Class 5 felony for possession of a Schedule I/II drug and a Class 1 misdemeanor for driving while his operator’s license was revoked or suspended. Both incidents occurred on March 20, 2022, according to court records, with an arrest date of June 3, 2022. Houde is scheduled to appear in court again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1 for a status hearing.

• Daniel Lee Breeden, of Stanley, was indicted on a Class 5 felony for possession of a Schedule I/II drug. The offense occurred on April 10, 2022, according to court records, with an arrest date of June 14, 2022. Breeden is scheduled to appear in court again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 25 to show cause.

• Donna Jane Creel, of Luray, was indicted on a Class 5 felony for possession of a Schedule I/II drug. The offense occurred on July 31, 2022, according to court records, with an arrest date of Aug. 1, 2022. Creel is scheduled to appear in court again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 25 for a status hearing.

• Cierra Rose Eppard, of Shenandoah, was indicted on an unclassified felony for possession with intent to manufacture a Schedule I/II drug. The offense occurred on Sept. 13, 2022, according to court records, with an arrest date of Sept. 14, 2022. Eppard is scheduled to appear in court again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 11 for a status hearing.

• Brandon Jay Kilgore, of Shenandoah, was indicted on a Class 5 felony for possession of a Schedule I/II drug. The offense occurred on Aug. 26, 2022, according to court records, with an arrest date of Aug. 27, 2022. Kilgore is scheduled to appear in court again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 25 for a status hearing.

• Courtney Dawn Lantz, of Elkton, was indicted on a Class 5 felony for possession of a Schedule I/II drug. The offense occurred on Aug. 28, 2022, according to court records, with an arrest date of Aug. 29, 2022. Lantz is scheduled to appear in court again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 18 for a status hearing.

• Jonathan Wayne Walters, of Harrisonburg, was indicted on a Class 5 felony for possession of a Schedule I/II drug. The offense occurred on Sept. 28, 2022, according to court records, with an arrest date of Sept. 29, 2022. Walters is scheduled to appear in court again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 1 for a status hearing.

• Brandon Michael Woodward, of Luray, was indicted on a Class 5 felony for possession of a Schedule I/II drug. The offense occurred on July 5, 2022, according to court records, with an arrest date of Sept. 1, 2022. Woodward is scheduled to appear in court again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1 for a status hearing.

• Angela Lea Flick, of Luray, was indicted on a Class 5 felony for possession of a Schedule I/II drug. The offense occurred on Sept. 7, 2022, according to court records, with an arrest date of Sept. 8, 2022. Flick is scheduled to appear in court again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 11 for a status hearing.

• Lisa Ann Good, of Stanley, was indicted on a Class 5 felony for possession of a Schedule I/II drug. The offense occurred on Aug. 15, 2022, according to court records, with an arrest on Oct. 25, 2022. Good is scheduled to appear in court again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1 for a status hearing.

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Grand jury hearings are held the first Wednesday of each month in Page County Circuit Court.

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