The jury trial for a man accused of pushing a woman out of a moving vehicle has been scheduled for Nov. 28 at 9 a.m. in the Starke Circuit Court. Jason Cooke of Plymouth was arrested Sept. 3 on charges of Residential Entry and Trespass, and was arrested again the very next day on charges of Aggravated Battery.
Police say Cooke entered the home of Linda Draper and refused to leave despite her repeated orders to get off her property. When police were called, Cooke left the property but was soon taken into custody and arrested on preliminary charges of Residential Entry as a Class D felony and Criminal Trespass as as Class A misdemeanor.
Cooke was again arrested Tuesday, when he allegedly pushed a woman out of a moving car on 25 North, east of 500 East in Starke County. An investigation is still underway into whether or not he sexually assaulted the woman. The victim told police that Cooke was with her earlier that evening but became belligerent and accused her of stealing drugs from him. He then allegedly pushed her out of the backseat of the moving vehicle, causing her head to hit the pavement.
His initial hearing took place on Sept. 6, and he filed a motion for a fast and speedy trial. As a result, his trial is scheduled for Nov. 28 at 9 a.m. for both cases.
Cooke is also facing a third case in Starke Circuit Court from last year, when he was arrested on charges of Resisting Law Enforcement and two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance. That case was last heard on Aug. 29 for a plea and sentencing hearing, but the court rejected the plea agreement. Cooke requested additional time to renegotiate the terms of the agreement with the state, and a status hearing has been set for Sept. 21 at 9 a.m.
