Nelsonville man convicted after son accidentally shot boy | News, Sports, Jobs

ATHENS, Ohio — A Nelsonville man was found guilty Friday of involuntary manslaughter and endangering children nearly a year after his 14-year-old son accidentally shot and killed an 11-year-old boy.

Donald Platt, 37, faced the first- and third-degree felony charges after leaving “a ready-to-use, unsecured, loaded firearm” with which his son inadvertently killed Eli Spangler in March 2021. The son was previously adjudicated as delinquent after admitting to an allegation of reckless homicide.

“This case was not about gun ownership,” Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn said. “It is about responsible gun ownership.”

Platt was remanded into the custody of the Athens County Sheriff’s Office following the verdict and taken to the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail to await sentencing, scheduled for March 22.

“Today, Eli’s voice was heard again and justice was delivered by 12 of Mr. Platt’s peers,” Blackburn said. “I am happy for … all who loved Eli that today’s verdict was just.”