In the small city of Norwich, New York, the life of 19-year-old Roxanne “Roxy” Alexandra Shipman was tragically cut short on December 1, 2016. A vibrant and kind-hearted young woman, known for a smile that could illuminate any room, Roxanne was fatally wounded by a gunshot in her home. She was a person who found joy in the outdoors, surrounded by her friends and family, and had a compassionate spirit, especially towards animals. Many in the community knew her as the friendly hostess at Bill's Diner.
The circumstances of her death, initially reported as an accidental shooting, soon led to a criminal investigation. Authorities charged 25-year-old James M. Maricle, who was identified as her boyfriend, in connection with the fatal incident. The investigation revealed that Maricle had negligently fired a rifle, causing the wound that led to Roxanne's death. He was also under a court order that prohibited him from possessing any firearms, leading to an additional charge.
James M. Maricle was charged with criminally negligent homicide, a class E felony, and criminal contempt, a class A misdemeanor. He later admitted in court that he had negligently discharged the rifle that killed Roxanne. Despite pleas from Roxanne’s grieving family for a harsher penalty, the judge sentenced Maricle to one year in the county jail, with the sentences for both charges to run concurrently. The family expressed their profound sorrow and dissatisfaction with the sentence, feeling that justice had not been served for the loss of a young woman who had so much life left to live. Maricle was also ordered to pay restitution for Roxanne's funeral expenses.
