A special Prosecutor will be called in for the trial of Kimberly Hitchens and John Brooke. Hitchens appeared before Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall on Friday where the defense requested a special Prosecutor for the proceedings due to a conflict of interest. Judge Hall granted the request. The special Prosecutor has not yet been named.
Judge Hall also granted a request that would combine Hitchens’ trial with John Brooke. Hitchens trial was to begin this month. The combined trial will begin Monday, February 21st.
Hitchens and Brooke were reportedly involved in the events surrounding a shootout with police at Bass Lake in February 2010.
Hitchens is facing three charges: Two counts of Possession and Manufacturing of a Destructive Device-aiding, a Class C Felony and Assisting a Criminal, a Class D Felony. John Brooke is facing seven charges. They include: Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery, a Class B Felony; Intimidation, a Class C Felony; Possession and Manufacturing of a Destructive Device, a Class C Felony; Possession of a Destructive Device, a Class C Felony; Resisting Law Enforcement, a Class D Felony; Unlawful use of Body Armor, a Class D Felony; and Assisting a Criminal, a Class D Felony.
