Franklin County Prosecutor secures guilty plea for 2023 Franklinton murder

Posted on 10/29/2024

Defendant: Erich Barbee

The Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office secured a guilty plea today from Erich Barbee, 31, of Columbus, for the murder of Marissa Saultz, 44, and the attempted murder of Morgan Cosner, 30, both of Columbus, in March 2023.

Barbee pleaded guilty to aggravated murder with a firearm specification and to attempted murder with a violent career criminal specification. He was immediately sentenced by Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge Chris Brown to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years. He will be required to register under the Violent Offender Database.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Marla Farbacher and Courtney Sackett prosecuted the case.

On March 16, 2023, Barbee went to Cosner’s home on the west side of Columbus, where he shot Saultz in the back of the head. He then shot Cosner in her forehead. Saultz was pronounced dead at the scene; Cosner survived her injuries. Cosner’s one-year-old daughter was present at the time of the shooting.