Family wants $175K for wife's death

UPPER SANDUSKY — The family of a woman who was killed while working a shift as a cashier still don't know if the murder suspect will stand trial, but they're taking some matters into their own hands. On Jan. 1, 2023, Keris Riebel, 22, was working at a Dollar Tree in Upper Sandusky when she was attacked by a man wielding a machete. Since then, the man, Bethel M. Bekele, 27, of Upper Sandusky, has been charged with six felony charges of murder, aggravated murder, felonious assault and aggravated burglary, but was deemed incompetent to stand trial last March. For the past year, pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code, Bekele has been housed at Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare in Columbus in an attempt to restore his competency for trial. A year-end evaluation, however, still deemed Bekele incompetent. Earlier this month, prosecutors asked for a second assessment after previously being told there was a likelihood Bekele would become competent to stand trial. Despite knowing whether or not he will stand trial, Bekele was named as a defendant in the wrongful death suit filed by Riebel's husband, Jordan. Jordan Riebel is suing Bekele and also named Dollar Tree Stores and Lowe's Home Centers for his wife's attack for $175,000. The lawsuit contains seven counts against the three defendants, including survival claims for wrongful death, employer intentional tort, civil battery and civil assault. In the lawsuit, filed through the Wyandot County Court of Common Pleas, Riebel contends Bekele purchased the machete used in the attack from Lowe's in November 2022. While a Lowe's cashier was concerned about Bekele's motives and reported it to her manager, the Lowe's supervisor dismissed the matter, according to the lawsuit. Documents also state there was no barrier or safety equipment protecting Keris from the attack at her check-out lane. Riebel contends Keris "suffered substantial and overwhelming physical pain, fright, panic, anticipation of death, mental anguish and emotional suffering," according to the lawsuit. It also contends the family sustained mental anguish, grief, torment and distress. Along with asking for $175,000, the family is asking the three defendants be liable for funeral and burial expenses and court costs. The family raised $81,005 through GoFundMe last year, which has since stopped accepting donations. If Bekele is found competent after the second evaluation and is convicted of murder, he faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole.