Theft from a local entity will not be tolerated as proven by Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall after he sentenced Jennie Carter on that charge in court Monday morning.
Carter was the defendant in a bench trial in February where, based on evidence and testimony, Judge Hall found her guilty of stealing $7,748.40 from the Starke County Tourism Commission.
Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall found Jennie Carter guilty on a charge of theft after a bench trial. The prosecution called two witnesses: Chris Campione with the Indiana State Police, who was the lead investigator in the case, and Debbie Mix with the Starke County Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism Commission. They testified of their knowledge of the event surrounding the incident. Defendant Jennie Carter testified on her own behalf.
The bench trial occurred over the course of two days in February.
Pat Mitchell, representing the Convention and Visitors Commission (formerly known as Starke County Visitors Association), appeared before the Starke County Commissioners last week to report that the membership had met even though they are missing three members.
Only four of the six members were present, but they did make a transfer of funds to the Starke County Tourism Commission.
Jennie Carter appeared for her initial hearing in Starke Circuit Court this morning. Charged with a felony count of theft, Carter pleaded not guilty to Judge Kim Hall. She is currently out on $5,000 cash bond.
Carter requested a court appointed lawyer, but under questioning by the judge, she said that she was gainfully employed, and paid $2,600 a month. When asked if she had anything of value that could be sold to pay a lawyer, she said she had a four-year-old television and a 2007 Ford Taurus that she was making payments on. Her on-hand cash was listed as $200.00, and she said her $5,000 bond money was borrowed.
