Pursuit Suspect Chooses Plea Over Trial

BROOKSVILLE - A man accused of harboring a man wanted on charges including rape made an open plea in court on Thursday.

Don Shaffer led deputies on a winding chase through Spring Hill's streets in June 2007, with a wanted man riding passenger, deputies say.

The chase, which topped speeds of 80 mph, ended with Shaffer crashing into a cruiser and bailing out of the car, a report shows. Deputies launched an extensive ground search and found Shaffer hiding under a trailer.

He was charged with fleeing to elude, leaving the scene of an accident with injury and accessory after the fact for reportedly trying to keep his passenger out of custody. Shaffer, who was scheduled for trial Monday, will be held without bond until his sentence date on July 17.

His passenger, Neal Scheffer, escaped that night, but was picked up on a warrant on July 8, 2007.

Investigators say Scheffer raped, beat and burned the arm of his girlfriend over two days in March of 2007. His next court appearance is today.