Walworth, WI – A man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for shooting his eight-year-old stepson, Michael Meagher, while demonstrating firearms. The incident occurred in January at their residence in Walworth County.
Steven Merkel, now 53, entered a guilty plea for first-degree reckless homicide in August. During sentencing on Thursday, Walworth County Circuit Court Judge Kristine E. Drettwan questioned Merkel’s actions, expressing outrage over his desire to look “cool” to the boy.
The shooting unfolded around 2:25 a.m., with officers arriving to find Meagher suffering from a gunshot wound. Life-saving measures were attempted, but the child later died at the hospital.
Merkel claimed the incident was accidental. He told police he had removed the magazine from the handgun and thought it would not fire without it. He pointed the gun at his stepson and pulled the trigger, striking him in the arm and neck.
Drettwan noted that evidence indicated the boy attempted to protect himself with a defensive posture. “How is that fun and cool for Michael that you come out of a bedroom pointing a gun at him?” she asked.
Merkel admitted to previously showing guns to Meagher, stating that they had been playing video games prior to the shooting. He had consumed alcohol that night, but his blood alcohol level was 0.02, suggesting he was not impaired.
Defense counsel requested an 11-year sentence, arguing Merkel expressed remorse. Merkel himself addressed the court, accepting responsibility for his actions.
Drettwan emphasized the devastating nature of the case, highlighting the preventable death of the young boy.
