Joshua Hunnicutt appeared in the Starke Circuit Court for his initial hearing yesterday, where he charges of Escape as a Class C felony and Conspiracy to Commit Escape as a Class C felony. Hunnicutt was appointed attorney Richard Ballard as pauper council.
Hunnicutt had been on the run since climbing a razor-wire wall in the recreation area of the Starke County Jail on May 23 and fleeing from police for five days. He said he turned himself back in because he realized he had made a poor decision in escaping, and said he doesn’t have any recollection of what took place prior to his escape.
Hunnicutt pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, and a number of court dates were set, including his first pre-trial conference on Sept. 19 at 8 a.m., followed by his second pre-trial conference date and plea agreement deadline of Oct. 18 at 8 a.m.
His older criminal case, with charges of Possession of Methamphetamine and Maintaining a Common Nuisance, will share court dates with his escape case. Hunnicutt remains in the Starke County Jail under a $200,000 surety bond.
