A Minnesota man will spend less than a year in jail after failing to help his girlfriend, who died after jumping out of his moving truck.
Johnathan James Schafer, 35, was sentenced Thursday to 364 days in a local jail — with 175 days already served — for his role in the death of 23-year-old Julia Marie Marthaler. He’ll also spend three years on probation, according to court records reviewed by Law&Crime.
In September, Schafer pleaded guilty to felony failure to stop after a crash resulting in injury or death, and to misdemeanor driving while intoxicated. Judge Walter M. Kaminsky also imposed a two-year suspended sentence, meaning Schafer could go to prison if he violates probation. His conditions include staying sober, attending treatment, and completing a driver safety course.
According to court documents, Schafer’s mother called 911 on the night of May 15 after her son phoned her, saying his girlfriend “had jumped out of his truck.” Minutes later, a friend of Schafer’s made a similar call, telling dispatchers he said Marthaler was near a cemetery while he was at a city park.
When police found Schafer in his parked truck, he smelled strongly of alcohol and had blood on his hand and the truck’s door, according to the affidavit. Officers also discovered a cased shotgun in the backseat.
Authorities launched a search and eventually found Marthaler lying in the grass several feet from the road. She had suffered severe injuries and was pronounced dead shortly afterward.
Investigators said Schafer spent more than 40 minutes on the phone with his mom and friend after the incident instead of calling 911 for help. He later told police that he and Marthaler had been drinking at a bar and got into an argument while driving through backroads. Schafer claimed Marthaler jumped from the truck and that he panicked when he saw another vehicle approaching.
Judge Kaminsky called Schafer’s actions “unusually cruel,” noting that he moved Marthaler’s body into taller grass, making it harder for rescuers to find her.