Attorneys debate if Caseyville husband who allegedly hired hitman can get fair trial
It could be months or years before the trial of a man charged with murder for allegedly hiring a hitman to kill his estranged wife’s girlfriend in Collinsville, if the case even goes to trial.
But an attorney for Sammy Shafer Jr. filed a motion to change venue on May 27 in Madison County Circuit Court, arguing that he can’t get a fair trial in the metro-east because of all the pretrial publicity. Prosecutors responded on June 5 by asking a judge to deny it.
It’s unknown when Circuit Judge Tim Berkley will take up the issue. The next hearing for Shafer, 36, a Caseyville businessman and father of three who’s being held without bond, is set for Aug. 18.
“A venue change only becomes meaningful if you’re going to trial and a jury is being selected,” Trial Court Administrator Ryan Anderson said Friday.
Portia Rowland, 32, was fatally shot about 6 a.m. on Jan. 21 outside a home on Olive Street in Collinsville that she shared with Sammy Shafer’s estranged wife, Sarah Shafer.
The office of Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine charged Sammy Shafer and two other men with first-degree murder.
Prosecutors allege that Shafer paid $10,000 to have Rowland killed, making arrangements through Marty D. Shaw, 34, of Collinsville, an employee of his excavating business. Shaw is accused of driving the getaway car. His cousin, Gary D. Johnson, 45, of East St. Louis, is accused of firing the shots.
‘Inflamatory’ news coverage
Shafer is being represented by well-known St. Louis attorney Scott Rosenblum. His associate, T.J. Matthes, filed the motion for venue change, expressing concern about news coverage and Facebook posts.
“Not only has the coverage been voluminous, but it has also been prejudicial because it has reported on matters that are inadmissible at trial and are inflammatory to a forthcoming jury venire,” he wrote, referring to the pool of people from which jurors are selected.
Matthes pointed to coverage of Shafer’s detention hearing in February, including the judge’s decision not to grant pretrial release based on safety risks for people involved in the case and the community at large.
The motion also quoted several comments on Facebook pages with tens of thousands of followers:
- “I know that a lot of people feel that the death penalty is cruel and unusual punishment, but then so is locking a human being up in prison. I prefer the former when circumstances warrant it, as seems to be the case here.”
- “Let him rot.”
- (He’s) never getting out ... IL should still have the death penalty.”
- “Good. He needs to stay in jail. If he got out he probably would have ran.”
- “Why would bail even be considered in the first (place)?? Glad he’s where he belongs.”
The prosecution’s response to the motion to change venue argued that Shafer’s trial should be kept in Madison County, where the murder occurred.
Assistant State’s Attorney Luke Yager wrote that at least one news story cited by Matthes showed that Rosenblum had contributed to the pretrial publicity by granting an interview to the BND.
Yager also addressed defense arguments regarding the Facebook posts.
“At no time do they show that any of those followers are prospective (jurors) in Madison County, read the post, or have been prejudiced against Defendant in any way,” he stated.
Suspects quickly arrested
After Rowland’s murder, Collinsville Police Department called in the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis. Investigators reportedly used license-plate readers to track a suspect vehicle, leading them to a Missouri address, where they took Shaw into custody.
Shafer is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of solicitation of murder for hire. Johnson is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of possession of a weapon by a felon. Shaw is charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
Rowland’s obituary stated that she was a 2010 graduate of Collinsville High School and worked as a mechanic for Metropolitan Sewer District in St. Louis.
Shafer is a well-known businessman who operated S. Shafer Excavating in Pontoon Beach with his father, Sammy Shafer Sr.
Sammy Shafer Jr. also was president of several other businesses, including a trucking company and Caseyville Bridge Inn, a bar on Main Street, according to the Illinois secretary of state’s office.
St. Clair County Circuit Court records show that Sammy Shafer filed for divorce from Sarah Shafer in 2023 after nearly 10 years of marriage. That case, which remains open, recently included a battle between her and her in-laws over custody of the three children.
A Madison County judge granted Sarah Shafer an order of protection from Sammy Shafer in 2024 after she alleged that he had pinned her down and made unwanted sexual advances. Three weeks later, it was dismissed.
