The suit was filed in county Common Pleas Court on behalf of Samantha Freels’ next of kin. The suit claims they suffered damages because of her death.
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A judgment for more than $25,000 is sought along with punitive damages. A jury trial is requested.
Samantha Freels, 52, was found deceased in her car the afternoon of Jan. 12 along Ohio 55 near West Milton. Responders initially thought she died in a car accident during a snow storm.
Investigators found a bullet hole in her car, leading to the discovery of the gunshot wound.
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Randy Freels was indicted by a county grand jury on charges of murder, felonious assault, discharging a firearm into a habitat and tampering with evidence. He has pleaded not guilty and is being held in lieu of $1.5 million bail.
A trial in the criminal case has been scheduled to begin April 17 in Common Pleas Court.
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