McGuff to plead guilty to manslaughter in Clay case

Jon McGuff

BRAZIL — Originally charged with murder in a May 2023 incident in Clay County, a Reelsville man plans to enter a guilty plea to the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Jon L. McGuff, 26, is accused of killing William Matherly, 48, Cloverdale, on the afternoon of May 11, 2023 outside a Brazil residence.

His case was set to go to jury trial on Monday before the trial in Clay Superior Court was canceled on Friday. According to court records, a sentencing hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 21.

McGuff was initially arrested within 24 hours of the shooting and charged with murder as well as two Class A misdemeanor charges of unlawful carrying of a handgun.

Due to a court error involving speedy trials, McGuff was released from custody on Dec. 15. 

While out of jail, he is alleged to have been involved in another violent incident, this one in Greencastle.

Two men, alleged to be McGuff and Skyler H. Pintor, 31, Fillmore, are said to have entered a Greencastle apartment on Feb. 24 and rushed the man who answered the door, with a firearm discharging three times during the ensuing fight.

One of the shots entered the victim’s body in the left clavicle area and exited the right side of this neck/throat area.

The suspects also allegedly stole the victim’s car.

After four days on the lam, McGuff was again apprehended and charged with Level 2 felony robbery with a deadly weapon, Level 3 felony aggravated battery, Level 3 felony robbery resulting in bodily injury, Level 5 felony criminal recklessness and Level 6 felony auto theft.

Having violated the terms of his release, McGuff was taken back to the Clay County Justice Center, where he has remained housed.

The new charge and change of plea in Clay County, should they be accepted by Clay Superior Court Judge Robert Pell, would represent a significant reduction in sentence for McGuff. Murder carries a sentencing range of 45-65 years, while voluntary manslaughter, as a Level 2 felony, carries a range of 10-30 years.

Regardless of the outcome, McGuff’s charges in Putnam County also await him, with final pretrial hearing set for Aug. 1.

Pintor, meanwhile, was charged with Level 2 felony robbery with a deadly weapon, Level 3 felony robbery resulting in bodily injury, Level 5 felony criminal recklessness and Level 6 felony auto theft.

He has a final pretrial hearing set for Aug. 8.

Ivy Jacobs, co-editor of The Brazil Times, contributed to this report.