A one day trial was held in Starke Circuit Court Wednesday, June 26.
A six-member jury found Amanda Minix not guilty on a Level 6 Felony charge of residential entry. She was found guilty of a Class A Misdemeanor charge of resisting law enforcement, and guilty of a Class B Misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.
Minix was charged with residential entry, resisting law enforcement and disorderly conduct in an incident February 25, 2024. She was accused of entering a Knox residence without permission. Testimony was given that Minix was told to leave the house. Minix sitting at the dining room table at the time and suffered a medical event and the owners of the residence carried her out of the house. Minix was able to walk back to the house next door on her own power, but the owners called the Starke County Sheriff’s Department. When Knox City Police Department officer Nathan Chambers arrived and tried to talk to her. Minix attempted to shut the door but when the officer was able to open the door, he tried to detain her. He testified a knife was nearby when he talked to Minix and wanted to be sure of her safety and his safety. She resisted detainment. Testimony also revealed that she refused to take a portable breath test upon intake at the Starke County Justice Center and did not cooperate with officials when taken to the hospital for testing. Testimony by the officer indicated that she yelled and cursed at him and the medical staff during the incident.
Minix did testify in her own defense stating that she was given permission to enter the residence and was confused when the officer tried to detain her as she suffered a medical episode before his arrival and thought an ambulance was coming to provide her with medical assistance. She admitted to resisting arrest.
The State of Indiana, represented by Starke County Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Matt Poulos, called two witnesses while Defense Attorney Richard Ballard called the defendant to testify.
Presiding Starke County Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall sentenced Minix after the verdicts were read. Minix was sentenced to time served in this case.
