Hearings Held in Starke Circuit Court

Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall sentenced Cheryl Hughes yesterday on charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance and Operating a Vehicle Dangerously While Intoxicated. She was sentenced to 13 months on the possession charge and 12 months on the OVWI charge. All time was suspended and will be served on probation. Her Driver’s License was suspended for nine months.

Judge Hall also sentenced Austin Owens on charges of Possession of Chemical Reagents or Precursors with the Intent to Manufacture Methamphetamine. He pleaded guilty in a plea agreement to that charge. He was sentenced to serve 18 months in the Department of Corrections with 12 months suspended. He will serve his sentence on home detention. He was also placed on probation. If he completes his probation successfully, he may petition the court to reduce his felony charge to a misdemeanor.

Kraig Branham had pleaded guilty to a charge of Theft, but Judge Hall rejected that agreement. He is set go to trial on March 7th at 9:00 a.m.

Amy Murray pleaded guilty to a charge of Neglect of a Dependent in Circuit Court yesterday and her sentencing hearing was set for February 16th.

Melinda Catt also pleaded guilty in a hearing yesterday. Her sentencing hearing was set for February 16th.