MEDFORD, Ore. — It’s a story that’s shocking to everyone who hears it. A 15-year-old girl, her boyfriend, and friend, conspiring to kill her father.
“He loved his girls above anything and I know his heart is breaking right now,” said Michelle Robinson, the victim’s girlfriend.
Back in October of 2017, 50-year-old Aaron Friar was beaten to death with a baseball bat. Police say his daughter Ellen Rose Friar, who was only 15-years-old at the time, planned the crime along with her boyfriend then 19-year old Gavin Curtis Macfarlane and 22-year-old Russell Pierce Jones II.
Nearly two years later, Macfarlane is serving life in prison after pleading guilty to murder, tampering with physical evidence, and conspiracy to commit murder. The case is still pending against Jones.
Ellen faced a judge for sentencing this past Tuesday.
She read a letter to the court in which she said she can’t erase the past, but has learned forgiveness from Jesus Christ.
Watch the full statement Friar made in court
“I’m not the same scared little girl I was over a year ago,” said Friar. “I’ve seen all different kinds of people and now see humanity from a new, compassionate perspective.”
Friar’s attorney says the teenager was manipulated by an older boyfriend and claims the girl endured years of emotional and sexual abuse from her father. But because the case didn’t go to trial, that was never proven in court.
“She’s an extremely intelligent, wonderful young woman… [she] made a mistake and I’m hoping she’s able to learn from that,” said her defense attorney, Alyssa Bartholomew.
But others like Aaron Friar’s girlfriend, Michelle Robinson, say there’s no excuse for what she did.
“From what I witnessed Aaron was a great dad. She could have thought of a million different things to do… running away included,” Robinson said.
Friar was sentenced to 25 years in prison for conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit burglary in the first degree. She will start her sentence in a juvenile facility until she’s 25, which the judge hopes will provide resources for her to reform her life.
Russell Pierce Jones II is scheduled to be back in court in late April, but his case is pending his fitness to proceed.
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