The woman charged in connection with last month’s murder of a Knox man will remain in jail for at least another week. Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall denied a request by Augusta Hadden’s attorney to reduce her bond from $200,000 surety.
She’s charged with the Level 5 felony offense of assisting a criminal. Court documents indicate she threw a cell phone out of a truck driven by murder suspect Edward Blackburn after he fatally shot Cord Colgrove at a rural North Judson residence on March 3rd.
Blackburn and Hadden were arrested the next day at a hotel in Mishawaka and have been jailed since.
Knox attorney Richard Ballard was initially appointed Hadden’s public defender. She has since retained criminal defense attorney Jim Thiros of Merrillville, who filed the motion for a bond reduction on her behalf.
He contends her bond is excessive considering her lack of a criminal history. Thiros told the court Hadden wants to move back to Alabama with her parents and said her father is willing to take responsibility for ensuring she attends all of her scheduled court appearances. He adds they have $3,000 cash ready to post in order to secure her freedom.
Starke County Prosecutor Nick Bourff is concerned the distance will be a factor and that the fact she doesn’t feel safe in Starke County will make her a flight risk.
Judge Hall agreed that her request to relocate is out of the question. He said the court may consider a bond reduction and GPS monitoring through Starke County Community Corrections if Hadden has a suitable place to stay.
She may be able to live with a friend in North Judson, but Starke County Community Corrections would first need to evaluate the residence. If it is deemed suitable, it would also be subject to unannounced visits by community corrections staff, and no alcohol or drugs could be present in the home.
Hadden will be back in court on Friday, April 28 at 10 a.m. to revisit the bond reduction request.
