Press Release
The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on February 23, 2017 at the Jackson County Courthouse, Heather Sheffield was sentenced by the Honorable Shonna Gay to 20 years in prison for the crime of DUI Manslaughter and Leaving the Scene of an Accident involving Death. The sentence was the result of Mrs. Sheffield entering an open plea to the court due to the state not offering her any type of plea deal.
On February 11, 2016, Mrs. Sheffield killed her husband, Michael Sheffield, by running him over while driving her silver Chevrolet Impala. Mrs. Sheffield later admitted to Investigator Jeff Snell that she was driving drunk when she ran over her husband and that she fled the scene out of fear that she would get arrested for DUI. Mrs. Sheffield did not stop and render aid even though she knew she ran over her husband. The incident took place within 50 feet of the couple’s front door to their residence in Greenwood, Florida.
An investigation by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office revealed physical evidence of the crime scene that matched the vehicle driven by Mrs. Sheffield, as well as biological evidence under the vehicle which DNA testing showed a match to the victim, Michael Sheffield. The investigation also revealed that Mrs. Sheffield had both alcohol and methamphetamine in her blood at the time of the offense. In 2002, Heather Sheffield was convicted of DUI with Serious Bodily Injury.
Assistant State Attorney Bob Sombathy said, “Although no term of years in prison can bring back their son, Michael Sheffield’s family are satisfied with the sentence, and appreciate Judge Gay allowing the family to address the court on Michael’s behalf.”
Michael Sheffield was 34 years old at the time of his death.
Please contact Chief Assistant Attorney Larry Basford at 850-832-5510 with any questions.