Alivia’s father Michael Stahl spoke with the press after the initial hearing.

FULTON COUNTY — Alyssa L. Shepherd, 24, Rochester, appeared in Fulton County Superior Court today, Nov. 15, for her initial hearing. Her charges stem from the fatal accident that killed Xzavier and Mason Ingle and their sister, Alivia Stahl, and seriously injured Maverik Lowe on Oct. 30.

Alyssa L. Shepherd

During the hearing, Superior Court Judge Wayne Steele read Shepherd her charges. She is being charged with three felony counts of reckless homicide, level 5 felonies, and one count of passing a school bus with the stop arm extended causing injury, a class A misdemeanor. The three felonies carry a minimum sentence of one year, which can be served on formal probation and a maximum sentence of up to six years jail time with a fine up to $10,000. The misdemeanor charge carries a maximum sentence of up to one year jail time with a fine up to $5,000.

During the reading of the charges, Alivia’s father Michael Stahl cried in the small courtroom.

Shepherd acknowledged that she understood her charges. She has hired attorneys David Newman and Micheal Tuszynski to represent her.

Shepherd is due back in court for a pretrial hearing at 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019. A not guilty plea was entered on her behalf.

After the initial hearing, Michael Stahl spoke briefly with the press. “It’s the beginning of the process,” he said. “It’s hard. It’s difficult. It’s probably the hardest thing besides the funeral that I’ve ever had to do. There are no words to explain it. It’s the worst thing in the world.”

He encouraged the public to stop threatening Shepherd, stating that he has seen examples online. “It’s not helping the situation. It doesn’t do my daughter justice or the other people affected by this.”

Michael Stahl said that his thoughts and prayers go out to the families of everyone involved, including Shepherd’s family. “When it comes to Alyssa, it’s a mixed emotion,” he said. “I just keep my daughter’s memory in mind … She didn’t look at things angrily. She always found the bright side and that’s how I’m looking at it.”

He mentioned that his older daughter, Selena Stahl, is helping him heal during this tough time. “She has grown up so much in the past few weeks because of this.”