An 18-year-old woman is charged with murder and obstructing justice in the shooting death of her mother in Delaware County.
Bryanna Dutcher, Dajameous Payne, 21, and Christian Evans, 20, appeared in Delaware County Common Pleas Court on Monday afternoon via a video call from Delaware County Jail.
A criminal complaint accuses Bryanna Dutcher of lying to law enforcement about the circumstances surrounding the death of her mother, 55-year-old Tamela Dutcher on Aug. 14. Records name Evans as her boyfriend and Payne as his roommate. Both men are charged with murder.
Just after midnight on Aug. 14, officials say a man called 911 from his home and said his wife, Tamela Dutcher, had been shot. First responders took Dutcher to a nearby hospital, where she died several hours later.
The Delaware County Sheriff's Office said Payne and Evans entered Dutcher's home, shot her, and then shot at her husband as he tried to provide medical help. The pair then fled from the scene.
During court proceedings, officials said the investigation recovered text messages between Evans and Bryanna Dutcher, which appeared to plan the crime.
If convicted, Payne and Evans could each receive sentences of 15 years to life in prison with a maximum $15,000 fine.
The three suspects had no previous criminal records.
The next preliminary hearing date in the case is set for Aug. 24.
