A jury deliberated five hours before finding Edward Blackburn guilty of murder in a trial that took seven full days in Starke Circuit Court.
Verdict Returned in Edward Blackburn Trial
Starke County Commissioners Discuss Computer Purchase for Prosecutor’s Office
The staff at the Starke County Prosecutor’s Office is looking to update technology in the office. During last week’s Starke County Commissioners meeting, Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff presented quotes to purchase new computers as the current devices are no longer working properly.
Starke County Council, Commissioners to Meet Tonight
The Starke County Council members will meet tonight to consider several items.
Judge Requests More Time Before Accepting Jason Cooke’s Plea Agreement
The man accused of the October 2015 robbery of a Knox man will have to wait until at least Monday to learn his fate. Jason Cooke is charged with hitting Sescoe Wireman in the head, and taking money, prescription medication, an Indiana ID card, and multiple credit cards from him. Wireman died a few days later, but a murder count against Cooke was dropped last February.
Plea and Sentencing Hearing Set for Today for Jason Cooke
A Plymouth man accused of hitting a Knox resident in the head and taking money, prescription medication, an Indiana ID card, and multiple credit cards from him will be in Starke Circuit Court for a plea and sentencing hearing today. The victim, Sescoe Wireman, died following the alleged incident.
Jerry Leonard Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court
A Knox man was sentenced in Starke Circuit Court on Thursday morning on two counts of child molesting as a Class A felony.
Jerry Leonard, 37, was sentenced on one count of child molesting to 30 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections with 10 years of the sentence suspended. On the second count of child molesting, Leonard was sentenced to 30 years in the DOC with 10 years of the sentence suspended. The sentences will run concurrently, or at the same time. After he serves his time in the DOC, he will serve his suspended sentence on probation.
Court Rejects Plea Agreement
Defendant Jason Cooke appeared in Starke Circuit Court last week for a plea agreement and sentencing hearing, but Judge Kim Hall rejected the proposed agreement between Cooke and the State.
Cooke was arrested in October 2015 in an alleged robbery and beating of Sescoe Wireman of Knox at a home in the 100 block of East 500 South in Knox. Cooke is accused of hitting Wireman in the head and taking money, prescription medication, an Indiana ID card, and multiple credit cards from him. Wireman died following the alleged incident.
Plea and Sentencing Hearing Set for Jason Cooke
A plea and sentencing hearing has been set in Starke Circuit Court in the case of Jason Cooke. Cooke, of Plymouth, is accused of hitting Sescoe Wireman and stealing several items from him in an incident at a home in the 100 block of East 500 South in Knox on Oct. 7, 2015. Court documents state that multiple strikes to Wireman’s head led to his death.
Starke Commissioners to Hold Employee’s Position Open
Wireman Cases to be Joined for One Trial
Defendants Sadie Wireman and her son, Michael, will have their cases joined for a single trial in Starke Circuit Court.
The pair face methamphetamine-related charges. Plea agreements were rejected for the Medaryville duo on June 6th when Michael Wireman did not comply with the requirements with the probation department before his court hearing and Sadie Wireman claimed not to know what methamphetamine was. Judge Kim Hall said he would not accept a guilty plea from her if she didn’t know what the drug was in which she allegedly possessed.
No Other Charges to Be Filed Against Shannon Watts
Officers were executing an arrest warrant at Watts’ residence in Born’s Trailer Park in North Judson on Tuesday, Aug. 13 and the Pulaski County SWAT Team was called into action when he refused to surrender. Continue reading
No Additional Charges Filed Against Shannon Watts… Yet
Plea Agreement Proposed for Murder Suspect Kathleen Holt
Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff stated that the agreement has yet to be reduced to writing and to be heard in a formal court setting. The proposed agreement would have Holt pleading guilty to a charge of Murder with a minimum sentence of 45 years and the maximum sentence of 55 years. As part of the plea agreement, she would be giving up her right to appeal the sentence.
New Starke County Deputy Prosecutor Hired
Starke County Prosecutor, Nicholas Bourff, made the announcement yesterday that there is a new Deputy Prosecutor in the office.
“Autumn Ferch has joined our office as a Deputy Prosecutor,” said Bourff. “I’ve known Autumn for a very, very long time and I see value in bringing someone into the office who grew up in Starke County and who calls Starke County home. She will be handling everything in the Knox City Court, as well as several ‘D’ felonies in Starke Circuit Court. She will also handle child support cases too.”
We asked Autumn Ferch why she decided to go into law.
Brett Kersey’s Case Goes to Trial
Brett Kersey appeared in Starke Circuit Court on Thursday. The state submitted a plea offer, but it was rejected by the defense. Kersey’s attorney, Richard Ballard, will be taking the case to trial. Kersey is charged with Child Molesting, Rape, and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. He faces a potential sentence of 20-50 years in prison.
