Michael Campbell was a seventeen year old from South Dakota who would murder his online girlfriend
According to court documents Michael Campbell would meet Shayna Ritthaler online and soon the two would begin a relationship. The pair made a plan that Shayna Ritthaler would come to South Dakota and the two would runaway together
When Shayna Ritthaler showed up Michael Campbell would pick her up and soon after would fatally shoot the young woman in the head
Michael Campbell would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to fifty five years in prison
Michael Campbell Photos
Michael Campbell Now
Age
22
Race
White
Gender
Male
Hair Color
Blonde
Eye Color
Green
Height
5′ 10″
Weight
180 lbs.
Alias(es)
Campbell, Michael Gavin
DOC Number
#59050
Current Facility
South Dakota State Penitentiary
1600 North Drive
Sioux Falls, SD 57117Parole Office
NACorrectional Status
Active InmateAdditional Info
NA
Michael Campbell Pleads Not Guilty
A 17-year-old has entered pleas of not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity in the death of 16-year-old Shayna Ritthaler.
Michael Gavin Campbell was in court Thursday for his arraignment hearing. Campbell has been indicted on alternate charges of first-degree and second-degree murder in the death of Ritthaler.
Ritthaler, from Upton, Wyo., was the subject of a missing person’s case. Her body was found Oct. 7 in Campbell’s home near Sturgis after deputies and agents from the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation searched the house at the request of the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, who was working with authorities in Wyoming.
Campbell, if convicted, can face prison time, but cannot be sentenced to life in prison because he is juvenile. Campbell’s attorney said he plans to file a motion to have the case moved to juvenile court.
Prosecutors allege Campbell shot and killed Ritthaler in his home earlier this month after an alleged argument between the two.
A judge set December 20 for Campbell’s status hearing and set that date as the deadline to turn in any documents related to the case.
Campbell is being held on a $1 million bond.
