Edward Blackburn and his attorney, Caroline Briggs, were in Starke Circuit Court Thursday morning to present a status update on his case.
Court documents indicate Edward Blackburn shot Cord Colgrove, of Knox, in the head in front of three witnesses in rural North Judson on March 6.
An additional hearing will be set to hear arguments on a motion to consider a Motion to Compel. According to Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff, that means the defense is asking the court to force the State to either offer a key witness in the case, Augusta Hadden, immunity, or to dismiss her case with prejudice. An argument for immunity in the case will also be heard in Starke Circuit Court. Hadden’s attorney will be present for the hearing.
Hadden was previously charged with assisting a criminal in this case. She was accused of throwing a cell phone out of a truck driven by Edward Blackburn following the alleged incident, but Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff said there wasn’t enough evidence to be sure that Hadden threw the cell phone, rather than Blackburn. The case was dismissed.
Another motion from the defense will be considered in a hearing that requests evidence that the State will seek to introduce against Blackburn at trial.
All discovery items have been received by the defense, but Briggs needs to conduct depositions in the case.
A status hearing was scheduled for Dec. 7 to ensure that the defense and prosecution are satisfied that the case can come to a resolution. Blackburn will either go to trial, or proceed with a plea hearing. If the case goes to trial, the court will reserve two weeks for arguments and testimony.
