Michael V. Obert, a 48-year-old man from Columbus, OH, tragically died on May 9, 2014. Obert was involved in a fatal altercation with Roger N. Noble, a longtime acquaintance. The incident occurred on the East Side of Columbus, where Noble chased Obert through several yards before shooting him five times in front of a house in the 1400 block of Aven Drive. Obert succumbed to his injuries less than 45 minutes later at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center.
The shooting followed an argument between Obert and Noble. Witnesses reported that Noble appeared to be preparing to flee the scene when police apprehended him. Noble was initially indicted on a charge of murder, but the charge was reduced to involuntary manslaughter as part of a plea agreement. Noble pleaded guilty to the reduced charge and was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
According to Noble's defense attorney, the relationship between the two men deteriorated after they entered into a business venture growing marijuana.
Noble claimed that Obert threatened to blackmail him with photos and videotapes of him with women other than his wife. However, the prosecution noted that there was little evidence to support Noble's claim of blackmail. Despite the circumstances, Obert's wife, Danielle Geiser, described her husband as a good father to their four children.
The case highlighted the tragic consequences of a dispute escalating into violence. Noble's actions resulted in the loss of Obert's life and a lengthy prison sentence for Noble. The incident left Obert's family to cope with the emotional and financial aftermath of his untimely death.
