CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) — The trial of Adam and Susan Withers, the mother and son charged in connection to the dog attack death of an elderly woman, came to an end on Thursday afternoon.  

It took the jury a few hours, but they found both the Withers guilty on all six charges, including multiple counts of involuntary manslaughter.  

This stems from the October 2024 death of Jo Ann Echelbarger, 73, who was killed when the Withers’ two pit bulls viciously attacked her as she tended to her flower bed.

The coroner testified that Echelbarger’s injuries were gruesome and extensive. The jury saw the body camera footage and crime scene pictures from the day of the attacks.  

Adam Withers took the stand in his own defense during the trial, but Susan did not.  

Adam’s defense attorney said he and his client were expecting the guilty verdicts.  

“He didn’t seem surprised or shocked,” Adam Withers’ attorney Peter Scranton said. “I mean, he saw what everybody else saw. I mean, we didn’t know what was going to happen but I don’t think he was surprised.” 

After the guilty verdicts were read, Echelbarger’s family shared an emotional hug.  

“I think they feel like this was a long process,” prosecutor Tony Chamberlain said. “They got a good result here today and I just feel like they were really relieved today.” 

Prosecutors said they hope the family feels some closure after the trial.  

“Obviously we can’t bring her back but to give them maybe something like, ‘Hey, the justice system worked for you and we did something for you,’” prosecutor Jayme Hartley Fountain said.

Following the verdict, Echelbarger’s family sent a statement saying, in part:  

“While the court has found the Withers guilty, we must recognize that this tragedy should never have happened in the first place… The failure to intervene cost Jo Ann Echelbarger her life. We demand accountability beyond this courtroom to prevent another senseless loss.”  

The prosecutors said they have talked to the family about changing the law to possibly prevent something like this from happening in the future. 

“For us, it’s just the fact that maybe we can help give the family some closure after losing somebody so, in such a vicious, tragic way,” Fountain said.  

“I do think there do need to be some changes at the legislative level.” Scranton said, agreeing that the attack should have never happened. “Jo Ann losing her life for the dogs being there is an issue and it probably should have been addressed sooner. Yeah, things should probably change.” 

The defense attorney said both Adam and Susan Withers will serve prison time. Their sentencing date will happen in the near future and as they wait for the hearing, both the Withers will remain in jail.