A Starke County jury delivered a verdict Thursday afternoon in a two-day trial in Starke Circuit Court.
Knox resident David Rudd was on trial on a Level 1 Felony charge of dealing in a controlled substance resulting in death. He was represented by Attorney Alex Hoover.
Camden Combs, 19, died of a drug overdose between May 21 and May 25,2023, and it was the burden of the State of Indiana to prove that Rudd did knowingly and intentionally deliver fentanyl Combs which resulted in his death.
A 12-member jury was seated Wednesday morning with two alternates to hear testimony in the case. The State of Indiana, represented by Starke County Prosecuting Attorney Leslie Baker, presented seven witnesses to produce evidence beyond a reasonable doubt of the accused’s single charge, including the victim’s father Brandon Combs, Starke County Sheriff’s Department Chief Detective David Combs, Forensic Pathologist Dr. John Feszko, Forensic Toxicologist Stuart Kurtz, Starke County Coroner April Wilhelm, Indiana State Police Lowell Post Laboratory Drug Analyst Kimberly Ivanyo, and Starke County Sheriff’s Department Detective Charles Leonhardt. Testimony was heard Wednesday afternoon and throughout the morning Thursday.
In addition to expert testimony, several exhibits were presented during the trial which were published to the jury to review including text messages, monetary accounts, police interviews, a pathology report, toxicology report, a death certificate, a drug analysis report, along with photos and information.
The pathology report showed that Combs had fentanyl and methamphetamine in his blood at the time the sample was taken. The pathologist found that it was an accidental death by a drug overdose. Testimony showed text messages between Rudd and Combs of a drug deal.
After the State rested, Rudd told presiding judge, Magistrate Micah Cox, that he chose not to testify during the trial. The defense produced no other witnesses or evidence and rested.
The jury was given instructions and retired to deliberate all of the evidence and returned to the courtroom to present a unanimous verdict in about an hour. They found the defendant, David Rudd, not guilty, which brought Rudd to tears in the courtroom – the only emotion he showed during the trial.
Magistrate Cox informed Rudd that he would be released from incarceration on this charge.
