Jennifer Nelson for www.theindianalawyer.com

A southern Indiana man challenging his robbery and murder convictions and sentence to spend the rest of his life in prison lost his appeal before the Indiana Supreme Court Thursday. The justices rejected the man’s claim that his sentence should be reduced to a term of years.

Charles Stephenson was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the 2012 robbery and murder of 67-year-old Leigh Jennings in Aurora. Stephenson, who was heavily in debt, had borrowed money from Jennings in the past, who distrusted banks and kept her money at her house. She was found brutally bludgeoned to death in her kitchen. Several days after her body was discovered, police went to Stephenson’s home and found he had attempted suicide. A suicide note denied any involvement in the murder.

Stephenson raised multiple claims in Charles Stephenson v. State of Indiana, 15S00-1401-LW-40, including that the physical evidence had to show that the violence against Jennings was part of a plan to take her property and not just part of the murder; and that evidence regarding his attempted suicide should not have been admitted at trial.

“There is no evidentiary support for the defense theory that the defendant first murdered Jennings and only thereafter decided to take her property,” Justice Brent Dickson wrote. “To the contrary, the evidence and its reasonable inferences show that the defendant, deep in debt, distraught, and desperate for cash, (1) went to Jennings home purposefully to obtain money and, either in response to her refusal to give it to him or in the absence of such refusal, (2) struck her in the head multiple times, killing her, and then (3) took cash from her safes. Obtaining Jennings’s money was the defendant’s objective. Whether the murder was committed in the course of the robbery or after its completion does not undermine the correctness of the robbery conviction.”

Stephenson argued the attempted suicide evidence was inadmissible because it wasn’t relevant to Jennings’ murder, and even if it was, it should have been excluded under Ind. Evidence Rule 403 because any probative value was outweighed by the prejudicial impact.

“We decline to find that the mere existence of an attempted suicide, without more, is relevant evidence of a person’s guilty conscience about committing a charged crime, especially a charged crime which the person expressly disavows when the suicide is attempted. Because we conclude that the attempted suicide evidence was relevant to the issue of motive for the ensuing robbery and murder, however, its tenuous use as evidence of consciousness of guilt does not undermine its admissibility,” Dickson wrote.

The high court found the circumstances of the crime support the sentence of life without parole and refused to reduce Stephenson’s sentence to a term of years.

Awards $65,000 to Feeding Indiana’s Hungry

Indianapolis – First Lady Karen Pence today hosted the second annual fundraising luncheon to support the Indiana First Lady’s Charitable Foundation, which strives to support and recognize communities and organizations that promote the well-being of Hoosier children and their families.

“We started the Foundation to shine a light on the people and organizations that are working every day to benefit our children and Hoosier families. Our hope is that by promoting these organizations, we can help them further their efforts and reach more families across Indiana,” said First Lady Karen Pence.

“The First Lady’s Luncheon is a culmination of our efforts and serves as the primary fundraising event for the Foundation,” said the First Lady. “I am so pleased and honored that Judy O’Bannon, former First Lady of Indiana, was able to be a part of this special day.”

The First Lady’s Luncheon, “Hoosier Home Grown,” held at the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis, was attended by more than 600 people, including statewide elected officials, Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann, State Treasurer Kelly Mitchell State Auditor Suzanne Crouch, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz.

“This event and the fundraising success we have had with the Foundation is a testament to the hard work and the amazing talents of my board of directors who guide our efforts at the Foundation. I especially want to thank the committee of women who planned the luncheon and made this dream a reality,” said the First Lady.

The luncheon was filled with many surprises for guests, including entertainment provided by 6^th Season Winner of The Voice, Josh Kaufman, and a check presentation to Feeding Indiana’s Hungry. First Lady Karen Pence presented a check to Feeding Indiana’s Hungry in the amount of $65,000 to Emily Weikert Bryant, the organization’s Executive Director. Mrs. Pence will be donating potted flowers from the luncheon to Indiana FFA as well as Keep Indianapolis Beautiful.

“I’m thrilled to be working with this important Hoosier charity, and I’m so thankful for the work of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry in the lives of Hoosiers across the state,” said First Lady Karen Pence. “On behalf of the Indiana First Lady’s Charitable Foundation’s Board and Luncheon Committee, we are extremely thankful for the generous hearts of today’s sponsors and attendees that make it possible to present the major grant award of $65,000 to Feeding Indiana’s Hungry. I am confident they will continue to touch and bless many Hoosier children and families.”

“We are so grateful for the support and work of First Lady Karen Pence toward ending hunger in Indiana,” said Emily Weikert Bryant, Executive Director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry. “With the help of the First Lady’s Charitable Foundation our network will be better able to serve the more than 1.1 million Hoosiers who rely on food banks, pantries, soup kitchens, and other programs so that hard working Hoosier families, seniors and children have enough food on their tables to live a healthy and productive life.”

Each year the Indiana First Lady’s Charitable Foundation selects a different charity as a major grant recipient to highlight at the First Lady’s Luncheon. The Foundation also awards smaller grants throughout the year.

“We are very excited to soon begin announcing the recipients of our grants for 2015. There are so many worthwhile organizations doing wonderful work across Indiana. In 2014, we were thrilled to award grants to 83 organizations and charities across Indiana impacting 68 counties. It was an honor and a pleasure to be able to support them and to share their good stories through the Foundation,” the First Lady said.

Photos from today’s event can be found attached.

About the First Lady’s Luncheon

The Indiana First Lady’s Luncheon, which serves as the primary fundraiser for the Indiana First Lady’s Charitable Foundation, is modeled after the U.S. First Lady’s Luncheon held every year in Washington, D.C. and includes similar features, such as a surprise guest entertainer, center pieces, linens and bags made specifically for the event, and a showing of bipartisan support.

Luncheon co-chairs Patti Coons and Jennifer Ping hope the First Lady’s Luncheon will become a valued tradition for Indiana for many years to come. Indiana is the only state to have a First Lady’s Luncheon. Planning for next year’s event, which is expected to take place in March, is already underway.   Grant applications may be submitted atIndianaFirstLadysCharitableFoundation.org/Apply-for-Grant.

The Indiana First Lady’s Charitable Foundation is a 501( c )(3). The First Lady receives no compensation. Donations are tax deductible. Learn more about how to make a donation or request a grant on the Foundation’s website at: www.IndianaFirstLadysCharitableFoundation.org.​

About Feeding Indiana’s Hungry

Feeding Indiana’s Hungry serves 11 member food banks serving all 92 counties across the State. Their mission and service to Indiana makes them the perfect 2015 major grant recipient.  (FIsH) is a proud member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, by becoming a Partner State Association.

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