JOHN DAVID STUMPF | On Death Row in Ohio for the Last 41 Years, Convicted of the Murder of 54-Year-Old Mary Jane Stout, Which Occurred on 14 May 1984 | Scheduled for Execution on 18 August 2027 | ALS

John Stumpf. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). Columbus, OH. May 17, 2025. Content unknown. SEALED.

In 1984, a brutal home invasion in Guernsey County, Ohio, led to the death of Mary Jane Stout and the attempted murder of her husband, Norman. John David Stumpf was convicted and sentenced to death for his role in the crime. However, the case became controversial when conflicting prosecutions suggested that Stumpf's accomplice, Clyde Wesley, might have been the actual shooter. This narrative explores the complexities of the case, the legal proceedings, and the enduring impact on the victims and society.

Two Men, One Gun, and a Fatal Night: The Conflicted Conviction of John Stumpf

Basic Information

John David Stumpf was born in 1961 in Ohio. As of 2025, he remains incarcerated on death row at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility. His criminal record includes a conviction for the aggravated murder of Mary Jane Stout and the attempted aggravated murder of her husband, Norman Stout, during a home invasion on May 14, 1984.

Background

Details about Stumpf's early life are sparse. He did not have a significant criminal record prior to the 1984 incident. Stumpf's accomplices in the crime were Clyde Daniel Wesley and Norman Leroy Edmonds. The trio had been drinking and were traveling through Ohio when they decided to commit a robbery.

Criminal Activity

On May 14, 1984, Stumpf, Wesley, and Edmonds were driving near Washington, Pennsylvania, after consuming alcohol. They continued drinking while driving and had three handguns in the vehicle. Around dusk, they pulled over in Guernsey County, Ohio.

Stumpf and Wesley approached the home of Norman and Mary Jane Stout, claiming they needed to use the phone. Once inside, they pulled out their weapons and announced a robbery. Stumpf held the Stouts at gunpoint while Wesley searched the house. When Norman attempted to intervene, Stumpf shot him twice in the head, causing him to lose consciousness. Before losing consciousness again, Norman heard two male voices and then four gunshots—the shots that killed Mary Jane. Ballistics later confirmed that the same bullets, fired from the same gun, were used to shoot both Norman and Mary Jane.

Stumpf and Wesley fled the scene in the Stouts' vehicle, discarding one of the guns along the way. Edmonds, who had stayed in the car during the robbery, left once he saw the Stouts' car backing out of the garage. He stopped for gas and left without paying, shooting at two men who attempted to chase him. Edmonds returned to Pennsylvania.

Legal Proceedings

Stumpf surrendered to the police and initially denied any knowledge of the crimes. After learning that Norman had survived, he admitted to participating in the robbery and to shooting Norman but claimed not to have shot Mary Jane. He has maintained that position ever since.

Stumpf was indicted for aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, and two counts of grand theft. He entered a guilty plea to aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder as part of a plea agreement. The three-judge panel accepted the plea and, after a sentencing hearing, found that the aggravating circumstances outweighed the mitigating factors, sentencing Stumpf to death.

Later, Wesley was extradited to Ohio and stood trial. A jailhouse informant testified that Wesley had confessed to shooting Mary Jane. The same prosecutor who tried Stumpf's case argued that Wesley was the principal offender. Wesley was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 20 years.

Stumpf appealed his conviction and sentence, arguing that the prosecution's inconsistent theories violated his due process rights. The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which held that the inconsistent theories did not invalidate Stumpf's guilty plea but remanded the case for further proceedings on the sentencing claim.

Impact on Victims and Society

The murder of Mary Jane Stout had a profound impact on her family and community. Her husband, Norman, survived the attack but suffered physical and psychological trauma. He has expressed frustration over the delays in Stumpf's execution, stating that the prolonged legal process has denied him closure.

The case has also raised concerns about the use of inconsistent prosecutorial theories in capital cases. Legal scholars and commentators have criticized the practice, arguing that it undermines the integrity of the justice system and the reliability of convictions.

Current Status

As of 2025, John David Stumpf remains on death row at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility. His execution has been rescheduled multiple times, with the latest date set for August 18, 2027. There is no public information indicating that Stumpf has participated in rehabilitation programs. The ongoing legal debates and delays continue to impact the victims' family and the broader community.

Conclusion

The case of John David Stumpf highlights the complexities and ethical challenges within the criminal justice system, particularly in capital cases. The use of inconsistent prosecutorial theories in the trials of Stumpf and Wesley has sparked debate over due process and the reliability of convictions. For the victims' family, the prolonged legal proceedings have prolonged their suffering and denied them closure. This case underscores the need for consistency and integrity in the pursuit of justice.

Additional Note

Given the notoriety of the case and its significance in legal discussions about prosecutorial conduct, any autographed items by John David Stumpf would be rare and potentially valuable to collectors of true crime memorabilia.

VIDEO: Death Row Documentary 2024: The Cases of John Stumpf, Lawrence Landrum, and Warren Henness | Part 4 | https://youtu.be/heH7atJrEoE

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