The man accused of killing 75-year-old Randall Bailey before leading police on a pursuit on Thanksgiving Day made his initial court appearance Wednesday. James Lee Campbell, 52, is charged with murder and resisting law enforcement, along with a firearm sentencing enhancement for the murder charge.
During Wednesday’s hearing in Starke Circuit Court, Campbell agreed to let the court proceed with an initial plea of not guilty. He said he will look into hiring his own attorney, but may ask the court to appoint one. He’s scheduled to give the court an update during an attorney status hearing on December 20.
The plea agreement deadline date was tentatively set for February 28, followed by pretrial motions and instructions on March 2. A jury trial is scheduled for the week of March 16.
Magistrate Jeanene Calabrese told Campbell that the murder count carries a possible penalty of 45 to 65 years in the Indiana Department of Correction, along with fines of up to $10,000. The firearm sentence enhancement could add another five to 20 years. The penalty for resisting law enforcement would be six months to two-and-a-half years in the Starke County Justice Center and up to $10,000 in fines.
