Two Appear for Initial Hearings in Starke Circuit Court

Robert Reed

Robert Reed made his initial appearance in court yesterday, where he pleaded not guilty to Robbery as a Class B felony, Receiving Stolen Property as a Class D felony, Resisting Law Enforcement as both a Class D felony and a Class A misdemeanor, and Habitual Traffic Violator.

Reed requested a court appointed attorney and after he was found to be indigent and unable to afford his own attorney, attorney Richard Ballard was appointed to his case. He was given a first pre-trial conference date of February 9 at 8 a.m., with his plea agreement deadline March 8 at 8:30 a.m.

Reed is currently held in the Pulaski County Jail on previous charges with a bond of $100,000 surety.

Stephanie Berg

After missing a court appearance over two years ago, Stephanie Berg made her appearance in the Starke Circuit Court yesterday after being arrested Friday, Dec. 23. Berg said she didn’t know a warrant was issued for her arrest when she failed to appear for court on March 22, 2010 for a hearing regarding child support, which she says was because she had no transportation.

Berg told Judge Kim Hall that she had told the clerk that she would be unable to make it to court—but Hall informed her that the clerk does not handle any of the court scheduling. She requested areduction of her $6000 bond, which the state opposed—with Chief Deputy Prosecutor Mary Ryan saying she feels the bond is appropriate because Berg gave false identification to the police officer when she was pulled over and has been on the lam for more than two years.

Her request for a reduction was denied and she will return for a review hearing on Jan. 24 at 1 p.m.