GREENVILLE — A surprise plea deal in a murder case is taking the victim’s family by surprise.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Zachery Gilbert was supposed to go on trial for the murder of Brianne Otley on Friday.
But when Oatley’s family arrived in court, they received news they didn’t want to hear.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Shoplifting suspect reportedly tries to shoot officer at Ohio Walmart
- Wanted man taken into custody by SWAT in Richmond
- New billboard calls for Bengals to make changes
“Your honor, I’m 200% against this plea deal,” Michelle Oatley told the judge.
Gilbert pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.
Latasha Otley said her sister’s ex-boyfriend, Gilbert, shot Brianne in her own home last September.
Brianne had broken up with him, but allowed him and his mother to stay temporarily.
Police said Gilbert shot her after an argument, and now he will not be tried for murder.
“He shot her in her kid’s bedroom with her gun and left her lay there to bleed, kissed her on the cheek and ran out the door,” Michelle said.
The Otley’s claim that Gilbert and his mom delayed calling 911 for 45 minutes.
“Very betrayed, very betrayed ... you dropped the ball on my daughter, you gave up on my daughter,” Michelle said.
Despite the surprise, the Oatley family will be back in the courtroom next month, urging the judge to give the maximum sentence to Gilbert.
[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2025 Cox Media Group
