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A Delaware County jury convicted a man of murder Friday after he shot another man several times outside of a Muncie residence during a February 2021 confrontation.
In a news release, the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office announced that a jury deliberated for approximately three hours before convicting Brandon C. Hodge, 31 of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, a Level 1 Felony, and obstruction of justice, a Level 6 Felony.
The jury also found Hodge to be eligible for the Indiana firearms sentencing enhancement.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Muncie Police Department officers responded Feb. 28, 2021, to the area of West 9th Street and South Batavia Avenue for a shooting call.
Officers located the victim, Robert Scott III, on a concrete slab driveway behind a residence. Scott had suffered what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the chest.
He was transported to the Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
A witness told police Scott ran around a nearby house yelling. The witness described hearing a single gunshot and a long pause follow by three or four more rapid gunshots.
A woman that was with Hodge when Scott was shot gave police a description of the property where Hodge lived.
Hodge turned himself into a Muncie police detective. He told the detective initially that he had melted down the gun used in the shooting with a torch.
During a police interview, Hodge said he went with the woman to protect her because of past issues with Scott.
“When asked, why he took the shotgun (Hodge) stated he likes to be ready for a fight because that’s how he is. Hodge also made comments he shoots to kill,” the affidavit stated.
Hodge told police several times that he thought Scott had a weapon, a shiny 1911 handgun.
The affidavit stated that during an autopsy, it appeared Scott was shot in the back several times.
Hodge acknowledged to police that he lied about melting down the gun used in the shooting. Police executed a search warrant and found the gun inside a garage on North Hodson Avenue in Muncie.
Sentencing for Hodge is set for Jan. 5 in Delaware Circuit Court No. 3.
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