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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Trials Set in Starke Circuit Court

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Trial dates were set for several defendants in Starke Circuit Court on Thursday morning.

Jerry Leonard, of Knox, is charged with four felony counts of child molesting. Two counts are Class A felonies and the remaining counts are Class C felonies. His trial with a 12-member jury is expected to start Jan. 8, 2018. There is a plea agreement deadline date in this case of Dec. 15.

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Status Hearing Set in the Case of Jason Cooke

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Plymouth man allegedly involved in the robbery and beating of a Knox man in October of 2015 will appear in Starke Circuit Court this afternoon for a status hearing.

Jason Cooke is accused of hitting Sescoe Wireman in the head and taking money, prescription medication, an Indiana ID card, and multiple credit cards in an incident that occurred 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. Continue reading →

Trial Set for Augusta Hadden

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
Augusta Hadden

The woman who is connected to the murder of a Knox man in March is headed to trial on Oct. 11.

Augusta Hadden, 39, is charged with assisting a criminal. Court documents indicate she disposed of a cell phone out of a truck driven by Edward Blackburn after he allegedly shot and killed Cord Colgrove in North Judson on March 3rd. She remains in custody, but she is currently being held in the Pulaski County Jail.

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