Woman who survived being beaten with hammer speaks out as her attacker is sentenced to prison

WASHINGTON, Pa. — A Peters Township man pleaded guilty to attempted to murder his girlfriend and was sentenced to 13.5-33 years in prison today.

William Oberschelp attacked Jen Pardini at her parents’ home in July 2023, leaving her for dead in the garage.  The family’s dog woke them up, likely saving her life.

Pardini was hit in the head with a hammer at least twice and kicked in the face.  Her skull was broken into pieces and reattached with a metal plate. She lost 5 teeth and has permanent damage to her eye.  She faced him in court today for the first time since the attack, when the last thing she remembers is a hammer coming toward her face.

“I feel so relieved, and relaxed. I feel like I’m starting a new chapter in my life,” Pardini said.

In court today, Pardini took the stand and told him how well she is doing.  She told him that doctors didn’t expect her to survive.  She told him when her surgeon heard she woke and was alive she came straight to the hospital to see for herself.  She told him about the ocean and mountains she would see with her eyes, while he spent 16.5-33 years in prison.

“Part of me wanted him to know I can still do all these things. You can’t.”

Jen’s father also spoke in court, telling Oberschelp directly that he wishes him harm.

“Jen has a pure heart and an unbreakable spirit.  She tried to help you, and you tried to kill her.  You are a coward, a fraud, an insecure psychopath.  You are a disgrace to your family,” said Ron Pardini.

The district attorney told Channel 11 this plea deal was close to the maximum sentence.

“I’m happy it wasn’t a homicide case as I thought it would be.  Jen’s resilient and inspirational and a victim.  She shouldn’t be defined by that though, she’s just a wonderful person,” said District Attorney Jason Walsh.

Oberschelp also spoke in court.  He apologized for what he called brutal and selfish actions.  He said Jen deserves to be safe and cherished and he was appalled that he was the one who did this to her. He blamed it on a psychiatric crisis, alcohol and drugs, saying it was not what his grieving parents raised him to be. He said nothing can justify his actions and he prays every day for her continued recovery.

Jen is now speaking out and raising awareness for domestic violence.  She said the only tears shed today were tears of joy.

“I think the hardest part is when the court was done, everyone came up to me and started hugging , that’s when i started crying, but in a good way so many people love and care and support me,” said Pardini.

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