News from the Starke Circuit Court

Several cases were discussed in the Starke Circuit Court yesterday, with some charges dismissed and others prepared for trial.

All charges were dismissed in the case of Rodger Griffin yesterday afternoon, who was charged with Battery as a Class C felony, Trespassing as a Class A misdemeanor, and Battery as a Class A misdemeanor. The state moved to dismiss all charges prior to his jury trial, which was scheduled for today. The trial will not take place. Griffin also has another case in the Starke Circuit Court that is set for trial in the future for charges including Intimidation with a Deadly Weapon.

The trial for Donald Humphrey is still set for today. Jury selection will begin at 9 a.m. with the trial starting shortly afterward. Deputy Prosecutor Mary Ryan said she was uneasy going forward with the case, because Humphrey’s attorney, Martin Bedrock, submitted a letter allegedly written by the victim that had a very aggressive tone to it, and she felt it would hurt the state’s case. However, the trial will still commence this morning. Humphrey is charged with two counts of Intimidation as a Class C felony, one count of Intimidation as a Class D felony, and Harassment as a Class B misdemeanor.

Brandon King

Brandon King, 20, from Knox, pled guilty in the Starke Circuit Court recently to Theft as a Class D felony and Possession of Precursors as a Class D felony. He also admitted that he violated his probation from a previous conviction for Domestic Battery. King was sentenced to 18 months each for the counts of Theft and Possession of Precursors, and 12 months for his violation of probation. These sentences will be served consecutively, for a total of four years in the Department of Corrections. None of his sentence was suspended.

Allen Krock, 37, from North Judson pled guilty to Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury as a Class C felony. His plea agreement was previously rejected on July 28. Krock was sentenced to four years in the Department of Corrections with one year suspended, followed by probation for one year and a requirement of completion of a Batterer’s Intervention Program along with treatment for alcohol and substance abuse.

Andrew Glover

Andrew Glover, 27, from Knox, pled guilty to Confinement as a Class B felony and Domestic Battery as a Class D felony. His other counts were dismissed. The plea agreement requires Glover to serve ten years in the Department of Corrections with no suspension and would require him to pay $8,674.16 in restitution. His plea agreement was taken under advisement. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 8 at 10:30 a.m.