Former Teacher Released on Parole After 17 Years for Attempted Murder of Teen Student

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Samson Shelton, the former teacher and professional wrestler who admitted to attempting to murder 17-year-old Ashley Reeves in 2006, has been released on parole after serving about 17 years of his 20-year sentence. The Illinois Department of Corrections confirmed his release this Monday, April 22, marking the end of a case that captured national attention and was later depicted in a Lifetime movie.
In 2006, Shelton, then a 26-year-old driver’s education teacher and known in wrestling circles as "The Teacher," became infamously linked to the brutal attack on Reeves, who had once been a student at the middle school where he taught. The incident occurred after Shelton and Reeves, who had been involved romantically, got into an altercation while he was driving. According to reports, Shelton choked Reeves and broke her neck before discarding her body in a wooded area of Citizens Park in Belleville.
Reeves was found barely alive around 2 a.m. on April 29, 2006, after a 30-hour search initiated when she was reported missing. Miraculously surviving the attack, she endured significant brain trauma and underwent a painstaking recovery process to relearn fundamental skills such as swallowing, walking, and talking.
During his incarceration, Shelton was housed at Illinois River Correctional Center, beginning in June 2007. His early release on parole, scheduled to last until April 2027, has reignited discussions about justice and rehabilitation.
The case garnered extensive media coverage due to the shocking nature of the crime and Shelton's dual life as an educator and wrestler. His confession and the subsequent discovery of Reeves alive were pivotal moments in the investigation, which revealed the extent of his betrayal.
In a recent interview, Reeves, now in her 30s, shared her ongoing recovery journey and her determination to move forward. "It’s been a long and challenging road, but I’m focused on my future and continuing to heal," she told KSDK.
As the community reflects on Shelton's release, many continue to be haunted by the severity of the crime and its impact on a young student. The case remains a profound example of survival and the complex questions surrounding sentencing and parole in the criminal justice system.
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