A pair of men charged in separate Starke County murders appeared in Starke Circuit Court Wednesday for status hearings.
Matthew Schutz is charged with murder in connection with a fatal Jan. 17, 2017 stabbing at a Dawn Drive residence in North Judson. His public defender, Winamac attorney Blair Todd, received permission from Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall to take several depositions at the public’s expense.
Judge Hall also set a July 24 trial date for Schulz. Starke County Prosecutor Nick Bourff advised it could take up to two weeks, as he plans to call 14 witnesses.
Edward Blackburn also appeared before Judge Hall yesterday to request a public defender be appointed to represent him. He’s charged with murder in connection with the March 3 fatal shooting of 33-year-old Cord Colgrove.
Blackburn told Judge Hall during his initial court appearance his family was going to hire an attorney to represent him. He advised yesterday the $9,100 he had when he was arrested in Mishawaka the day after Colgrove’s murder is the subject of a forfeiture action in St. Joseph County. Blackburn says he can’t hire an attorney until he has access to that money.
He also told Judge Hall he has no bank account, money, vehicle or other assets he can sell or borrow against to hire an attorney.
Judge Hall agreed to appoint a public defender to represent Blackburn but said he will ask around before doing so. He wants to make sure the attorney he appoints has experience defending substantial felonies and is willing to accept the case and the time commitment it entails.
