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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA motion to unseal evidence in the case against the accused gunman in the shooting of two Indiana judges last May has been denied.
Marion Superior Criminal Court 2 Judge Shatrese Flowers on Wednesday denied Brandon Kaiser’s motion to unseal grand jury evidence that’s been under a protective order at the request of the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.
Kaiser’s attorneys — Mario Massillamany and Erica Guernsey of Fishers — had argued in a Tuesday filing that without access to the grand jury evidence, they could not conduct a sufficient investigation on their client’s behalf. Notably, they sought the release of video surveillance from the downtown Indianapolis White Castle where Kaiser allegedly shot Clark Circuit judges Andrew Adams and Bradley Jacobs.
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office opposed the motion, arguing it was meritless.
Kaiser plans to pursue a self-defense claim, and he says the sealed grand jury evidence could aid in his defense. His nephew and accomplice, Alfredo Vazquez, pleaded guilty last year to battery and was sentenced to one year of probation. Both Jacobs and Adams were hospitalized for several days with gunshot wounds. The third judge with them, Sabrina Bell of Crawford County, was not injured.
All three judges were briefly suspended by the Indiana Supreme Court for their roles in the violent altercation. Adams was also criminally charged and pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery, but he was not sentenced to any jail time or probation.
Kaiser’s jury trial before Flowers is set to begin June 15. The case is State of Indiana v. Brandon Kaiser, 49G02-1906-F3-025479.
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