Montgomery County Prosecutor Mat Heck Jr. recently said the incident was devastating and life-changing for the families of the two 6-year-old girls who were killed.
But Walters’ father and ex-wife claim the 32-year-old Dayton man is not a murderer because he did not intentionally kill anyone and instead is mentally ill and needs help.
“The prosecutor needs to get a grip and realize this guy has mental problems,” said his ex-wife, Shannon Walters. “You don’t have a criminal … he’s got mental problems. He needs help. And I think they’ve gone too far with it.”
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On Monday, a grand jury indicted Walters on 22 felony counts for crimes including murder, involuntary manslaughter, felonious assault, robbery, aggravated vehicular homicide and aggravate vehicular assault.
On Aug. 26, Walters allegedly stabbed his father repeatedly, stole and crashed his truck, stole a Riverside police cruiser, rammed another police vehicle, drove at speeds above 100 mph and then crashed into two vehicles by the downtown library, including a van carrying seven children, killing two children, police said.
The victims were cousins Penelope Jasko of Dayton and Eleanor McBride of Huber Heights
Walters has been in jail ever since for parole violations and for felonious assault charges related to the stabbing. His next court appearance is set for Oct. 24.
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Walters’ father, Lloyd Walters, this week said his son should not face murder charges because he was not in his right mind and did not intend to kill anyone. He blamed mental illness for the tragedy.
“I’m not saying he’s an angel by no means,” Lloyd Walters told WHIO-TV. “But he’s not Charles Manson, either.”
Lloyd Walters previously said his son did not seem to recognize him during the stabbing. Neighbors and family friends said in the days leading up to the crime Walters was paranoid, delusional and made violent threats.
They suggested he had some sort of mental breakdown and may have been using methamphetamine.
Shannon Walters said she’s talked with her ex-husband since he’s been in jail and he feels awful about what happened.
If Raymond Walters could give up his life for the two children who died, he would, Shannon Walters said.
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“He’s not a murderer. I feel sorry for the family, and the two babies who died, but he didn’t wake up and just say he was going to do this,” Shannon Walters said. “This is not Raymond.”
But Heck said he’s seen no evidence that Raymond Walters had a mental problem that would alleviate him of responsibility for his actions.
Heck, however, said he believes the evidence will show Raymond Walters was on drugs at the time of his alleged crime spree.
He chose to stab his father and chose travel at extremely fast speeds in police vehicle he stole that put people at risk, Heck said.
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