Jason Cooke Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Jason Cooke was sentenced in Starke Circuit Court Monday afternoon.

Cooke pleaded guilty in an amended plea agreement to count of robbery as a Level 2 felony. Cooke admitted to robbing Sescoe Wireman of Knox of money, prescription medication, an Indiana ID card, and multiple credit cards. Cooke hit Wireman during the robbery causing severe injury. Wireman was hospitalized and later died. The incident happened on or about Oct. 6, 2015, at Wireman’s home in the 100 block of East 500 South in Knox.

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Verdict Returned in Starke County Jury Trial

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

A Starke County man was found guilty by a 12-member jury in Starke Circuit Court on Thursday on a charge of domestic battery as a Level 6 felony.

The jury found that David Spohn battered his wife after an argument escalated over another woman. Spohn punched her in the head, causing her to fall. He then held her down and continued to hit her resulting in a chip fracture in her back and a contusion on a rib.

Spohn was on home detention for a prior felony conviction when he committed this offense.

Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff says Chief Deputy Prosecutor Mary Ryan presented several witnesses, including the victim, two eye-witnesses and Officer James Conklin with the Starke County Sheriff’s Office.

Spohn will be sentenced by Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall on Thursday, March 29 at 2 p.m. Bourff says that a Level 6 felony carries a potential penalty of six to 30 months in the Starke County Justice Center.

Plea and Sentencing Hearing Set for Jason Cooke

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

A third plea agreement has been reached in the case of Jason Cooke.

Cooke is charged with the October 2015 robbery of Sescoe Wireman of 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 a few days later, but a murder count against Cooke was dropped last February.

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Jury Trial in the Case of David Spohn to Begin Today

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

A 12-member jury will be seated today in Starke Circuit Court to hear testimony in the case of David Spohn who is charged with domestic battery resulting in serious bodily injury as a Level 5 felony.

According to court documents, on or about May 30, 2017, Spohn reportedly battered his wife by punching her in the head, causing her to fall. He then allegedly held her down and continued to hit her resulting in a chip fracture in her back and a contusion on a rib. The alleged action occurred after an argument escalated between the pair.

The two-day trial begins at 9 a.m. today in Starke Circuit Court.

Judge Rejects Jason Cooke’s Second Plea Agreement

Posted on Author Michael Gallenberger

Another plea agreement from Jason Cooke has been rejected in Starke Circuit Court. He’s charged with the October 2015 robbery of Sescoe Wireman. 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 a few days later, but a murder count against Cooke was dropped last February.

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Judge Requests More Time Before Accepting Jason Cooke’s Plea Agreement

Posted on Author Michael Gallenberger

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.

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Status Hearing Held for Alleged Murder Suspect Edward Blackburn

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan
Edward Blackburn

A status hearing for Edward Blackburn was held in Starke Circuit Court Wednesday afternoon.

As previously reported, Edward Blackburn, of Arkansas, formerly of Texas, is being charged with the murder of Cord Colgrove, of Knox. Court documents indicate that in March of 2017, Blackburn allegedly shot Colgrove in the head in front of three witnesses in rural North Judson. Continue reading →

Jerry Leonard Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
Jerry Leonard

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.

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Sentencing Hearing for Convicted Child Molester Postponed

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
Jerry Leonard

A sentencing hearing for a Knox man convicted of child molesting is postponed to Thursday, Feb. 8 at 11 a.m. in Starke Circuit Court.

On Jan. 11, a 12-member jury convicted 37-year-old Jerry Leonard of two counts of child molesting as a Class A Felony and two counts of performing a sexual act in front of a child as a Class D Felony. The jury deliberated for about one hour before returning guilty verdicts.

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Knox Man Found Guilty of Child Molesting

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

A Starke Circuit Court trial that began Monday morning has concluded with Starke County Prosecutor, Nicholas A. Bourff successfully prosecuting Jerry Leonard of child molesting.

According to a press release from the Starke County Prosecutor’s office, on Thursday, January 11th, a 12-person jury deliberated about one hour before returning guilty verdicts on two counts of child molesting as Class A Felonies and two counts of performing a sexual act in front of a child as Class D Felonies. Continue reading →

Knox Man Accused of Child Molesting on Trial This Week in Starke County

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

A Knox man faces two counts of child molesting as Class A felonies and two additional counts as a Class C felonies in a Starke Circuit Court trial this week.

Jerry Leonard allegedly performed sexual acts with a girl less than the age of 14, four times spanning between 2012 and 2014 while living at a residence in Knox. A child forensic interview was conducted concerning these alleged acts at the First Light Child Advocacy Center in Marion, Indiana, in March of 2017, according to court documents.  Continue reading →

Earl Beem Jr. Sentenced to Two Amended Counts Following Guilty Pleas in Starke Circuit Court

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

On Monday, November 20th 35-year-old Earl Beem, Jr. appeared in Starke Circuit Court where he pleaded guilty to two counts; Amended Count I: Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine and Amended Count II: Conspiracy to Commit Trafficking with an Inmate.

The individuals who were also in court for the case were the defendant’s attorney Nathan Pearson, Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Mary Ryan, Honorable Judge Kim Hall, as well as the Deputy Sheriff and the Court Reporter. According to a plea and sentencing order provided by Court Reporter Delainah Hewlett, prior to the defendant’s plea, The Court discussed the specifics of the plea agreement and the defendant’s rights. Continue reading →

Trial Scheduled for North Judson Man Charged with Stalking

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

A trial for 45-year-old Clayton Conley, of North Judson, is scheduled in Starke Circuit Court today. Conley is reportedly charged with stalking, a level 6 felony.

According to the provided police report, Conley was arrested twice on March 29th for separate incidents involving his sister. Detective Sergeant Adam Gray with the Starke County Sheriff’s Department reports that Conley was first escorted off his sister’s property around 7:53 a.m. when he refused to leave after an argument. Continue reading →

Two Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court on Drug Charges

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Two people were sentenced in Starke Circuit Court Wednesday morning on drug charges in two separate incidents.

Joshua Muzik, 20, of Monon, pleaded guilty in a plea agreement with the state to a felony charge of possession of methamphetamine and was sentenced on that charge to 13 months in the Starke County Justice Center with seven months suspended to be served on probation. He also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving while suspended and was sentenced to six months in the Starke County Justice Center. Those two sentences will be served concurrently, or at the same time. Continue reading →

Court Rejects Plea Agreement

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

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.

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Slusser Pleads Guilty During Trial

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The defendant in a trial in Starke Circuit Court pleaded guilty during the final witness’s testimony Thursday afternoon.

Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff said Rodney Slusser pleaded guilty to charges of attempted battery with a deadly weapon as a Level 5 felony and criminal mischief as a Class B misdemeanor. With his guilty plea, Bourff moved to dismiss the other counts in the case which include another felony count of attempted battery with a deadly weapon, two counts of resisting law enforcement, and a misdemeanor count of reckless driving.

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