Are they evil? The Story of Shanda Sharer

Shanda Sharer was a 12 year old girl living in the idyllic town of Madison, Indiana.

Ultimately four teenage girls would be arrested and charged for the murder of Shanda Sharer.

In this video we discuss the details of the crime and questions around their motivations, rehabilitation and forgiveness.

Theme music by Audio Hertz, Luck Witch via YouTube music

This is a new channel and I am really finding my feet. I have never done anything like this before and don't have any experience in video creation (I'm sure that's obvious 😀) so any feedback on what I can be doing better is greatly appreciated!

[A.Girl.Has.No.Name.]

It boggles my mind that all of these women are out of prison, walking amongst us, especially Melinda and Laurie. The book "Cruel Sacrifice" by Aphrodite Jones goes into a lot more detail about the crimes perpetrated against Shanda, and those two in particular did UNSPEAKABLE things to her... all out of jealousy and hate. Girls can be vicious.

[GenXfrom]

I've never been able to shake Shanda's case since I first heard about it years ago. I can't imagine her suffering. I have no sympathy for those who murdered this young lady. Not actually putting your hands on her doesn't make you innocent. Not at all. She could've told immediately, she could've tried to do something, or run away to try to find someone to call law enforcement. Done ANYTHING, and Shanda may not have died.

[captainsleeman]

Evil exists. Notice how they disassociate themselves from their actions? No responsibility taken.

[kimberlyc]

I've worked at an elementary school for the last 19 yrs. In addition to registering & enrolling students, I enter discipline referrals.
I see issues from the kindergarten level up. I see parents oblivious to concerning behavior.
I see counselors overloaded with trying to intervene and advocate for young minds but met with "mind ya business" or flat out threats from parents or the pat response "kids will be kids."
Even my 'anonymous' mandated reporting backfired in my identity being revealed and my life being jeopardized by the alleged abusive parent's threats.

~makes me think twice sometimes

Can't win for losing.

[GenXfrom]

It's absolutely horrifying, as well, that they aren't rotting the rest of their lives away behind bars, when Shanda will never see another sunrise.

[cathybassett]

"Peer pressure" was something we all experienced. No one I knew or heard about ever hurt or killed anyone during those years.

[gypsea]

These crimes are horrific and stressful to listen to, I would like to thank you for presenting them in a calm manner...🕉

[taraversaggi]

This is horrific- if you commit this kind of evil you don’t deserve a second chance. That child doesn’t get a second chance at life and neither should they. They knew what they were doing was wrong and that’s the beginning and the end of it… nothing else matters.

[bethrock]

Shanda was beautiful, the other girls were jealous. My heart bleeds for her mother.

[rachelkrug]

Its horrifying what they did to her. I can't even comprehend how they could be so cruel to that poor baby girl. It hurts my heart.

[Kcyjeallbaerk]

Melinda and all the other 3 involved SHOULD BE IN PRISON.

They tortured a life and took that life. Inexcusable.
The fact that they're free makes my blood boil! 🤬🤬

[dourakine]

Why do people think that if someone loves animals, then that makes them a good human being?!? Nonsense.

[Pattiepies]

They are evil to their core. What they did was beyond horrific. It was diabolical. How on earth do such young kids do this unless they are evil? I hope they all rot in jail.

[royalcrow]

Very thought provoking. Excellent coverage of a complex case. Can't believe I'd never heard about this one. I'm a mother so I'm all over the map with this one. Yes, I do believe childhood abuse played a factor, however only a very small one. There are countless adults in this world who were horrifically abused as children, and they don't kidnap, bind, torture and murder another human being.

Regardless of if that was a significant role or not, it does not change the fact that they deserved the long sentences. Are they evil? I don't know. But the sadistic, gleeful torture they inflicted all night long, hour after hour, onto this 12-year-old girl, ending with her being burned alive? That's epitome of evil itself. (p.s. as a mom, I'd never forgive).

[treesaw]

Such an awful story. Shanda was my nephews age, so still a baby. How those girls could even consider hurting a child is bad enough, let alone the hours of torture they put Shanda through. They all deserved to spend the rest of their lives in prison.
Fabulous video, subscribed straight away.

[RelaxMeditateYoga]

Just came across your channel the other day. You narrate the stories very well and have a gift. Also, you seem like a kind soul and very humble & gentle. This story is soooo sad and unbelievable it makes me feel like we live in an incomprehensible world! Who does that to another human and they were all so young! Well, i watch a lot of crime (dont know why). Its very sad. Am not sure I can forgive. But I think Shanda's mum after all these years decided its just not worth it keeping the pain inside. Have heard people say that you need to forgive and let go of the pain.

[frankie]

Unbelievable they are all out now. Poor Shanda. Girls can be vicious in groups.

[verityowens]

The other kids had a chance to do something they chose to go along.They are as guilty, the only one who had any guilt or compassion was Tony.

[supernova]

This is one of the worst things I have ever heard…and that’s saying a lot because I’m addicted to true crime.
I don’t think these women should ever be let out of prison. Regardless of any reasons they had for being violent teens, to torture someone like this takes a certain type of person. The type that should never be in society.

[dougbryant]

Ok… I’ve never understood why in some cases killer kids are tried as juveniles whilst in other cases as adults.
Is it purely based on the severity of the crime?
Kevin, I stumbled across your channel I’m glad I did. Keep up the hard work, you’ll soon get many subs. Cheers mate.