Lancaster County prosecutors will seek death penalty for man charged in raping, killing girl, 12

Jason Shackelford 

The Lancaster County District Attorney's office will seek the death penalty for the Columbia man charged with raping and killing a 12-year-old girl earlier this year.

According to police, Shackelford told Columbia police on Feb. 10 that he raped Elaina Smith, strangled her to death, then placed her body in a freezer.

The killing happened while Elaina's mother — Shackelford's ex-girlfriend — was at work overnight Feb. 8-9, according to authorities. 

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/lancaster-county-prosecutors-will-seek-death-penalty-for-man-charged-in-raping-killing-girl-12/article_96b0e66a-e46b-11ed-a438-5f9af7f5c009.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share