| EPD Addresses The False/ Inflammatory Comments Posted On Social Media
As news coverage of Wednesday’s fatal crash has circulated on social media pages, several false and inflammatory comments have surfaced. These post have been accepted by others as facts and have added an unnecessary strain on our community as we deal with this tragic loss of two young, innocent victims. The claims that a police officer rammed the suspect vehicle and caused the crash are false. There was never any contact between a police car and the suspect car. We know for certain that it took the officers 10 seonds to reach the crash scene due to the gap between them and the suspect. The claim that there is a video of the officer ramming the suspect is also false. The claim that a copy of that video was given to the media is also false. The claims that officers held the mother at gunpoint as she cried out for her children are false. The officers did approach the crash scene with guns drawn. The damage to the car was significant and the officers initially believed they were ordering the suspect out of the car they had just pursued. As soon as the could see the occupants of the car, they relized they were dealing with the victims, not the suspect. This was a matter of seconds, not minutes. The officers had already changed roles and began administering first aid before the mother regained consciousness. The speculation that the outcome was based solely on the officers decisions fails to acknowledge any other possible factors. We know for certain that officers ending their involvement in a pursuit only guarantees one thing. It guarantees that our officers are no longer involved in a pursuit. It does not guarantee that the fleeing driver will change their driving behavior. We had a recent event where a pursuit was terminated and the driver crashed 4-5 blocks later. The driver died in the crash even though there were no police cars chasing or following him. The rush to condemn these officers is being done by individuals wh o have the luxury of hindsight. It is easy to judge a decision when you know the final outcome. The officers in this case did not have that same luxury. They make decisions based on training, experience, and department guidelines. There will be a day for judgment. It will come when all if the facts are known. Today is not that day. Today is a day to mourn the loss of Princess and Prince Carter. Today is the day to hold your loved ones a little closer. Today is the day to come together as a Community to support a grieving family. For full details, view this message on the web. |
EPD Addresses The False/ Inflammatory Comments Posted On Social Media
Candlelight Vigil Held in Memory of Children Involved in Fatal Crash
NOVEMBER 30TH, 2017Â 
 TYRONE MORRIS EVANSVILLE, INDIANA
People gathered at the scene of the crash to pray, mourn and pay their respects. Seven-month-old Prince Carter died in the crash and his sister two-year-old Princess Carter later died at the hospital.
Neighbors say they are still shocked but they are supporting the family and helping them heal.
Neighbor Darrel Hughes says, “I mean, we have children up here, we have grown folks, but it’s ridiculous that every week something happens up here on Monroe, Linwood, Evans, Bedford.â€
The parents of the victims are still in the hospital with serious injuries. The driver, Frederick McFarland, is still in the hospital.
He is expected to face charges of felony fleeing, manslaughter, and murder.
Cruise Into 2018 With A BRAND NEW FORD TRUCK From Ellis Park
VHS COLLECTING GENTLY-USED & NEW SHOES FOR HOLIDAY FUNDRAISER
The Vanderburgh Humane Society is encouraging the community to clean out their closets and donate new or gently-used pairs of shoes to help local animals!
Shoes are being collected through January 2nd at the VHS Tuesday-Saturday from 9 am – 6 pm. Any size, type, and season of shoes are welcome as long as they are not broken or missing laces when applicable. Shoes must be donated in pairs.
The VHS is partnering with the organization Funds2Orgs to put on this fundraiser. The shoes are shipped to microenterprises in 25 developing countries where they are cleaned, repaired, and resold.
1 bag = 25 pairs of shoes. This is the perfect opportunity for students or families to make a difference this holiday season by committing to donate at least 1 bag of shoes! The overall goal is 100 bags, or 2500 pairs. 10 bags (100 pairs of shoes) have already been collected! The VHS is paid per pound when the shoe drive ends, so the more shoes the better. (And the heavier the shoes, the better – bring on the boots!)
To start collecting shoes on behalf of the VHS, anyone interested should contact Amanda Coburn, Development Coordinator at a.coburn@vhslifesaver.org or (812) 426-2563 extension 218.
AG Hill Urges Federal Agency To Delay Implementation Of New Rules
INDIANAPOLIS – In a letter mailed this week to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Attorney General Curtis Hill urged a delay in implementing new rules requiring the use of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) by commercial drivers. To immediately impose the new rules – set to take effect December 18 — would place undue burdens on drivers and operators, he wrote.
General Hill particularly took issue with the new requirements’ reliance on manufacturers to “self-certify†devices as complying with government standards – with no effective procedures seemingly yet developed to provide oversight over this process.
Drivers and operators are left without any way of ascertaining which brands and models of devices ultimately will pass muster, General Hill observed – setting up the risk they could invest in purchasing of devices later found to be inadequate.
Even while urging delay, the Office of Attorney General also is taking steps to ensure truckers and trucking companies are aware of the new regulations — collaborating with other state agencies to distribute information to relevant audiences.
Attached are 1) the Attorney General’s letter to the FMCSA and 2) a handout being distributed to raise awareness of the new rules.
VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES
 Below are the felony cases to be filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office today.
Elijah A. Johnson: Battery by means of a deadly weapon (Level 5 Felony), Battery resulting in serious bodily injury (Level 5 Felony)
Michelle Dawn Drennan: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony)
Anthony Matthew Greene: Dealing in a synthetic drug or synthetic drug lookalike substance (Level 6 Felony), Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a controlled substance (Class A misdemeanor)
Heath A. Morrison: Failure to register as a sex or violent offender (Level 5 Felony), Failure to register as a sex or violent offender (Level 6 Felony)
Cody H. Steele: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony), Driving while suspended (Class A misdemeanor)
VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES
Below are the felony cases to be filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office today.
Kaitlin Lee Salyer: Unlawful possession of syringe (Level 6 Felony), Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a narcotic drug (Level 6 Felony)
Christopher B. McCaslin: Carrying a handgun without a license (Level 5 Felony), Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Unlawful possession of syringe (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a controlled substance (Class A misdemeanor)
Jerry W. Brown: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony), Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony)
Ronald Lynn Scott: Intimidation (Level 6 Felony), Resisting law enforcement (Level 6 Felony), Public intoxication (Class B misdemeanor), Public intoxication (Class B misdemeanor)
Edward M. Hale: Theft (Level 6 Felony), Theft (Level 6 Felony), Aiding Theft (Level 6 Felony), Aiding Theft (Level 6 Felony)
Chastity Dawn Fisher: Unlawful possession of syringe (Level 6 Felony), Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony)
Erica Dawn Morrison: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Operating a motor vehicle without ever receiving a license (Class C misdemeanor), Operating a vehicle with a schedule I or II controlled substance or its metabolite in the body (Class C misdemeanor)
Jared Lee Gooch: Theft (Level 6 Felony)
Naomi Elizabeth Cantrell: Conspiracy Dealing in a narcotic drug (Level 3 Felony), Dealing in a narcotic drug (Level 3 Felony), Conspiracy Dealing in a synthetic drug or synthetic drug lookalike substance (Level 6 Felony), Dealing in a synthetic drug or synthetic drug lookalike substance (Level 6 Felony), Dealing in a synthetic drug or synthetic drug lookalike substance (Level 6 Felony), Neglect of a dependent (Level 6 Felony), Neglect of a dependent (Level 6 Felony)
Jo Lynn Edwards: Domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury (Level 6 Felony)
John Nicholas Devault: Operating a vehicle with an ACE or 0.15 or more (Level 6 Felony), Operating a vehicle with an ACE of 0.15 or more (Class A misdemeanor)
Phillip Patrick Askins: Possession of a synthetic drug or synthetic drug lookalike substance (Level 6 Felony), Unlawful possession of syringe (Level 6 Felony), Possession of paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor)
Taylor Kay Frick: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of marijuana (Class B misdemeanor), Possession of paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor)
Khiry Zharomir Waddell:Â Conspiracy Dealing in a narcotic drug (Level 5 Felony), Dealing in a narcotic drug (Level 5 Felony), Dealing in marijuana (Level 6 Felony)
Iren Malique Outlaw: Operating a vehicle as an habitual traffic violator (Level 6 Felony)
Cameron Kyle Davis: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony)
Martin Andrew Adams: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony), Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony)
Aubrey Douglas Kimbell: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony), Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony)
Kyshaun Antonio Pegue:Â Conspiracy Dealing in a narcotic drug (Level 5 Felony), Dealing in a narcotic drug (Level 5 Felony), Dealing in marijuana (Level 6 Felony)
Meko Deshay Levels Jr.: Dealing in a narcotic drug (Level 3 Felony), Conspiracy Dealing in a narcotic drug (Level 3 Felony), Conspiracy Unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon (Level 4 Felony), Unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon (Level 4 Felony), ConspiracyDealing in a synthetic drug or synthetic drug lookalike substance (Level 6 Felony), Conspiracy Dealing in a synthetic drug or synthetic drug lookalike substance (Level 6 Felony), Dealing in a synthetic drug lookalike substance (Level 6 Felony), Neglect of a dependent (Level 6 Felony), Neglect of a dependent (Level 6 Felony)
Kenneth Lee Green: Resisting law enforcement (Level 6 Felony)
Jeremy Blake Harris: Theft (Level 6 Felony)
Amber Marie Zeller: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony)
Cory Mitchell Bragdon: Robbery (Level 5 Felony)
Tylorian Lamar Matthews: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a synthetic drug or synthetic drug lookalike substance (Class A misdemeanor), Possession of marijuana (Class B misdemeanor)
Evan Ray Merritt: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony), Domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury (Level 6 Felony)
Gary Wayne Green: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony), Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony), Domestic battery (Class A misdemeanor)
Thomas Isaac Mosby: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony), Strangulation (Level 6 Felony), Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony)
Muhathab Erfan Alami: Conspiracy Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Maintaining a common nuisance – controlled substances (Level 6 Felony), Operating a vehicle with an ACE of 0.15 or more (Class A misdemeanor)
Lisa Kay Nau: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony)
Zachary Alan Miller: Resisting law enforcement (Level 6 Felony), Resisting law enforcement (Class A misdemeanor), Possession of marijuana (Class B misdemeanor), Reckless driving (Class C misdemeanor)
Alika Barnett: Unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle (Level 6 Felony), Resisting law enforcement (Class A misdemeanor)
Elizabeth M. McReynolds: Conspiracy Dealing in methamphetamine (Level 5 Felony), Dealing in methamphetamine (Level 5 Felony),  ConspiracyPossession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Maintaining a common nuisance – controlled substances (Level 6 Felony)
Joshua A. Vincent: Dealing in methamphetamine (Level 4 Felony), Conspiracy Dealing in methamphetamine (Level 4 Felony), Dealing in methamphetamine (Level 5 Felony), Possession of methamphetamine (Level 5 Felony), Conspiracy Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Maintaining a common nuisance – controlled substances (Level 6 Felony)
Lee Anthony Lowe: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Carrying a handgun without a license (Class A misdemeanor), Possession of marijuana (Class B misdemeanor)
Gov. Holcomb Statement on Passing of Andre Lacy
Governor Eric J. Holcomb offered the following statement on the passing of Andre Lacy, chairman and retired CEO of LDI Ltd. LLC and long-time business, philanthropic and community leader in Indianapolis, who died while on a motorcycle trip in Africa this morning:
Andre Lacy was a business and philanthropic heavyweight with a giant heart for public service. Throughout his life, he gave away his time, talents and wealth to improve Indiana—with a deep focus on building civic engagement. His longtime service as chairman of the Indiana State Fair Commission has been essential to the ongoing success of this state resource. In fact, it is only through his generosity and leadership that Indiana was able to renovate and unveil the Indiana Farmers Coliseum in 2014. Andre’s legacy will live on through this landmark and the many lives he has positively impacted. His passing is a great loss, and Janet and I extend our sincere condolences to the Lacy family.Â
Suit Claiming Police ‘Unleashed’ K-9 On Sleeping Man Proceeds
Dave Stafford for www.theindianalawyer.com
The City of Indianapolis lost its bid to dismiss a lawsuit brought by a man who claims an officer “unleashed†a police dog on him as he slept, leading to serious injuries.
Charles W. Cooper sued the City of Indianapolis and Indianapolis Metro Police Officer Gregory Davis in July, alleging excessive force, unreasonable search and seizure, negligence, assault, battery and other causes of action against the city. Cooper claims — and IMPD admits in court filings — that in July 2015, Davis and other officers investigating a reported robbery unleashed a K-9 that “attacked and bit†Cooper.
Cooper claims he was sleeping on his grandmother’s porch when the dog was unleashed, and that he had done nothing necessitating the use of force. IMPD denies this in response to the complaint and asserts theories of immunity as affirmative defenses.
Chief Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson in the District Court for the Southern District of Indiana on Wednesday denied the city’s motion to dismiss Cooper’s suit, even though he did not reply to the city’s motion.
“The Court finds that Mr. Cooper has adequately alleged a Monell claim against the City. Mr. Cooper sets forth the individual treatment he received, alleges that Officer Davis and other employees ‘acted pursuant to official policy,’ and alleges that the City ‘had an official policy, procedure, or protocol authorizing its officers to use excessive force in situations such as described in this Complaint,’†Magnus-Stinson wrote. “At the motion to dismiss stage, this is enough to sufficiently state a §1983 claim against the City. … Accordingly, the Court denies the City’s Motion to Dismiss.â€
The case is Charles W. Cooper v. City of Indianapolis and Officer Gregory Davis, 1:17-cv-2467.