Articles

Double murder-robbery convict avoids life sentence

A 24-year-old Evansville man convicted of two counts each of murder and robbery for killing two people has avoided a life sentence but still could spend his remaining years in prison. Tippecanoe Superior Judge Randy Williams ruled Friday a life sentence for Deshay Hackner would contradict the penal system’s goals of rehabilitation.

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Woman pleads guilty to neglect after removing feeding tube

A Terre Haute woman has agreed to plead guilty to neglect in the dehydration death of her infant son after she removed his feeding tube. Tabetha Smith, 39, would face a 16-year sentence if the plea entered Thursday is accepted. Vigo Superior Judge Sarah Mullican took the plea agreement under advisement.

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Jurors deadlock on life sentence for 2 slayings in Indiana

Jurors have deadlocked on whether to recommend a sentence of life in prison for a 24-year-old Evansville man convicted of murder and robbery in the 2017 slayings of two people in southwest Indiana. Jurors were dismissed Thursday after deadlocking on the question. They convicted Deshay Hackner on Wednesday in the deaths of 29-year-old Dewone Broomfield and his girlfriend, 28-year-old Mary Woodruff.

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Woman pleads guilty to role in killings tied to Prada purse

A Fort Wayne woman has pleaded guilty to her role in a double-slaying that occurred during an attempt to retrieve a Prada purse worth nearly $10,000. Kyra Frost, 25, pleaded guilty Friday to assisting a criminal. She’ll face a maximum 8-year prison sentence when she’s sentenced July 16.

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Woman sentenced for helping brother avoid slaying arrest

A Terre Haute woman who authorities say helped her brother avoid arrest in the slaying of a woman whose body was found in her submerged SUV has been sentenced after pleading guilty to assisting a criminal. Teresa Pitts has been sentenced to serve two years in prison, one year on home detention and one year suspended to formal probation.

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Double jeopardy principles not violated in OWI enhancement

A man with a record for driving under the influence was denied in his appeal to correct his enhanced sentence as a result of his adjudication as a habitual vehicle substance offender. An appellate court affirmed no double jeopardy violation in relying on his prior convictions to support the adjudication. 

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7th Circuit upholds drug dealer’s career criminal ruling

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a determination that man convicted for drug-related offenses was a career offender under § 4B1.1 of the United States Sentencing Guidelines and that a corresponding enhancement was appropriately applied to his sentence, rejecting his interpretation of the statute.

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