Myrtle Beem Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court

Myrtle Beem

Myrtle Beem was recently sentenced in Starke Circuit Court.

She was sentenced to serve six years in the Indiana Department of Corrections on one count of Dealing in Methamphetamine as a Class B Felony. Four years of that sentence was suspended. Upon completion of her sentence, Beem will be placed on probation for four years and she shall complete a drug evaluation program and follow any recommended treatment as approved by the probation department.

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Plymouth Man Pleads Not Guilty to Eight Charges in Starke Circuit Court

Dale Hite

A Plymouth resident plead not guilty to eight charges in an incident that occurred in Starke County on October 16th, 2009.

Dale Hite appeared for his initial hearing in Starke Circuit Court Monday morning where he plead not guilty to two counts of Resisting Law Enforcement Resulting in Death, two counts of Reckless Homicide, and one count each of Resisting Law Enforcement, Possession of Methamphetamine, Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign and Failure to use Headlights from Sunset to Sunrise. His bond was set at $100,000 surety.

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Brett Kersey Sentenced to 20 Years

Brett Kersey

Twenty-two-year-old Brett Kersey pleaded guilty in Starke Circuit Court on Tuesday to one count of Child Molestation as a Class A Felony. Kersey was sentenced to 20 years in the Department of Corrections with five years of that sentence suspended to be served on probation. In addition, he will be placed in the Sex Offender Maintenance and Monitoring program, complete a sex offender treatment program, possess no obscene material, consent to random computer searches, and a whole host of other rules and regulations as part of his probation.

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Kenneth K. Wallace’s Attorney Files Motion to Dismiss Case in Starke Circuit Court

Kenneth K. Wallace

Kenneth K. Wallace made an appearance in the Starke Circuit Court Tuesday morning. Wallace’s attorney told Judge Kim Hall that he was interested in obtaining field notes from officers on duty that had responded to the incident. In addition, he requested several other forms of information that he says he was not provided with as part of the discovery process.

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Starke County Democrat Caucus Scheduled Tonight to Replace Treasurer

Linda Belork

There will be a Democrat Caucus tonight to select a replacement for Linda Belork, but the replacement will not be called the Treasurer of Starke County. Linda Belork, with counsel, appeared before Judge Kim Hall yesterday seeking an injunction against a Democrat caucus being held to fill her position by the precinct committeemen.

Judge Hall ruled that because State Statute does not guide him in this motion he would fashion a ruling on the testimony. The judge interviewed Attorney Ethan Lowe as well as Democrat Chairman Ken Wallace. When completed, Judge Hall ruled that a caucus could proceed tonight, but that the person selected would be referred to as the Interim Treasurer. As the Interim Treasurer, the candidate would have the full authority of the Treasurer’s position to make decisions and sign documents.

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Five Arrested on Drug Charges Appear for Initial Hearings in Starke Circuit Court

Kristen Webb
Brooke Webb
Nikki Givens
Zachariah Whitfield
Joseph Givens

Following their arrest on November 23rd at a residence in Knox, the five individuals arrested in relation to drug activity at 605 South Portland Street made their initial appearances in the Starke Circuit Court yesterday.

Joseph Givens and Kristin Webb face charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, and Possession of Marijuana, while Brooke Webb is charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, four counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana, and Visiting a Common Nuisance. Nikki Givens faces charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, and Possession of Marijuana, and Zachariah Whitfield faces a charge of Maintaining a Common Nuisance.

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Gabriel French Sentenced

Gabriel French

Gabriel French received his sentence in the Starke Circuit Court last week for charges of Dealing in Methamphetamine as a class B felony. As part of a plea agreement, the defense and the state would argue the sentence to Judge Kim Hall up to a maximum of 15 years in the Department of Corrections and the other counts against him would be dismissed.

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Fred Boggess II Sentenced to 17 Years in the DOC

Fred Boggess II

Fred Boggess II received his sentence in the Starke Circuit Court Wednesday after being found guilty by jury of Manufacturing Methamphetamine, Possession of Chemical Reagents or Precursors, Driving While Suspended, and False Informing. His sentencing took place in the Oregon-Davis High School.

During the sentencing, defense attorney Richard Ballard called Boggess’ mother, Dolores Boggess, to the stand. Dolores told the court that Boggess saved her life over the past year by taking care of her and doing odd jobs to help pay the bills. She said he did “everything he could” to help her.

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Fornelli Lawsuit Against the City of Knox Dismissed

A suit that took almost four years to wind its way through the court system was dismissed this week in Starke Circuit Court. Dennis Fornelli had brought suit against the City of Knox and the Knox City Police Department for wrongful discharge of duty from the police force in 2006.

The suit was dismissed on Monday, November 21st. It was originally filed on December 31st, of 2007.

Starke Circuit Court Goes on the Road

Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall

Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall will be on the bench today, but it will not be on the third floor of the Starke County Courthouse. Judge Hall is taking his court on the road.

“We’re going to have court at Oregon-Davis High School,” said Judge Hall. “The reason for this is that for many years, Oregon-Davis would bring a bus load of Seniors to the Starke Circuit Court and watch the court proceedings and they always enjoyed that and it was always educational for them. For the last couple of years, for various reasons, they haven’t been able to get to the Courthouse. I’ve been talking with some teachers and we’ve decided that we’re going to bring court to the Oregon-Davis High School. I checked with the Supreme Court and the staff there was not aware of any other court in Indiana doing this, but they thought it was a good idea. This morning, we’re going to have the prosecutors, defense attorneys and the Sheriff there with some of the inmates and we’re going to have regular court.”

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Fred Boggess II Found Guilty

Fred Boggess II

A Starke County jury found Fred Boggess II guilty of all five counts filed against him. The jury found him guilty of Dealing in Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Chemical Reagents or Precursors with the Intent to Manufacture, Driving While Suspended and False Informing.

The two-day trial had several witnesses called to the stand in Starke Circuit Court, including an Indiana State Police officer who specializes in Clandestine Lab Team investigations.

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Starke Circuit Court Judge Denies Plea Agreement for Rose Martin

Rose Martin

Rose Martin, 47, of Medaryville made her appearance in Starke Circuit Court this week for charges of Manufacturing Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Chemical Reagents or Precursors.

There was some controversy in the courtroom when Martin told Judge Kim Hall that she submitted to a pre-sentence investigation over the phone and by mail rather than coming into the office, but there was no record of it being completed. Also, Martin said she had been accepted into the Community Corrections home detention program with electronic monitoring in LaPorte, but her case information indicated that she failed to make arrangements with Community Corrections.

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News from Starke Circuit Court

After pleading guilty in September to Intimidation as a Class D felony, Carl Balaszek received his sentence before Judge Kim Hall in the Starke Circuit Court. Balaszek admitted to threatening the parents of his ex-girlfriend during what he describes as a “bad breakup” that has put his future in jeopardy. The victim submitted a letter to be read aloud in court, in which he stated that he was placed in fear of his life by Balaszek and was glad to see justice being served.

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Brett Kersey’s Case Goes to Trial

Brett Kersey

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.

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Denise Dalton Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court

Denise Dalton

Denise Dalton, 42, of Knox, received her sentence in the Starke Circuit Court on Thursday for Possession of Methamphetamine, as a Class D Felony. All other charges against her were dismissed, including Manufacturing Methamphetamine as a Class A Felony, Illegal Drug Lab, and Battery.

Dalton was sentenced to 18 months in the Department of Corrections with none of that time suspended. Her time will be served on home detention with electronic monitoring by Community Corrections, and was given 16 days credit for time served.

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Samuel Smith Pleads Guilty to Domestic Battery

Samuel Smith

Samuel Smith plead guilty last week to battering his wife in the presence of his two-year-old child. Smith was present in Starke Circuit Court on Thursday along with his attorney, Richard Ballard.

Convicted of a Class D Felony, Domestic Battery with a Child Present, Smith will serve 18 months in the Department of Corrections with none of that sentence suspended. A $50 domestic violence fee has also been imposed, and he will submit to a DNA cheek swab. He was credited with 176 days served, and he is also required to complete a Batterer’s Intervention program.

As part of the plea agreement, charges of Criminal Confinement and Resisting Law Enforcement were dismissed.

Plea Deadline for Stacie Brown Extended

Stacie Brown

The case against Stacie Brown continues with a plea deadline extension that was accepted by the Starke Circuit Court. Judge Kim Hall granted an extension to December 1st at 8:00 a.m. to allow Brown’s attorney, Timothy Lemon, to finish the discovery of the case and speak to some of the state’s witnesses. Lemon says the discovery is going well, but because expert witnesses are involved, he would like more time in order to speak to each of them.

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Ken Singleton Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court

Ken Singleton

Having previously plead guilty to two counts of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor as a Class B Felony and Incest as a Class B Felony, 39-year-old Ken Singleton appeared before Judge Kim Hall in the Starke Circuit Court on Thursday to be sentenced. The victim of the sexual abuse was not present to make a statement but a victim impact letter she had written was read aloud in court.

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