Man Whose Leap Killed Woman Faces Sentencing
A Thousand Oaks man entered a plea similar to no contest Friday in the death of a Scottsdale woman he hit when he jumped off a cliff into the Salt River.
Under terms of a plea agreement, Adam J. Shimer, 20, who had been charged with negligent homicide, faces probation or up to a maximum five-year prison term. Under terms of the agreement, Shimer did not admit guilt but believes he probably would be convicted if he stood trial.
Prosecutor Vincent Kirby said trial evidence would have shown that on June 7, Shimer, an unemployed college student, jumped 100 feet into the river without first checking to see if anyone was in the way. Kirby said Shimer reached a speed of 56 m.p.h. before hitting the water.
Karen Jo Curtis, 20, tubing down the river with her family and friends, was struck by Shimer and killed. Shimer himself was seriously injured.
He is scheduled for sentencing Feb. 20 before Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Ronald Reinstein.
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