Two Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court in Battery Case

Two teenagers were sentenced in Starke Circuit Court yesterday for their involvement in a battery incident in May that left a man unconscious at times.

Daily James Potter and Jamal Green pleaded guilty to a charge of Theft in an incident where Potter and Green, plus two adult suspects John Potter and Brenan Sanchez, allegedly beat and kicked a Monterey man. Daily James Potter and Jamal Green stated in court that they were not involved in the battery but rather the theft of $400 in cash, a knife and prescription medication. They reached into the victim’s pockets, after he was on the ground after being battered, and took the money and a weekly pill container that contained several prescription medications.

By pleading guilty to a charge of Theft, the charges of Aggravated Battery, Robbery, and Battery Causing Serious Bodily Injury were dropped. Starke County Deputy Prosecutor Mary Ryan told Judge Hall that she spoke to the victim and he approved the recommended sentences. She was shocked when the victim told her that he wanted them to have another chance at making something of themselves.

Daily James Potter, 18, of Monterey, was sentenced to 24 months in the Department of Corrections with 12 months suspended and 12 months probation. He was also ordered to pay $3,367.92 in restitution to the victim for medical expenses. Judge Kim Hall had previously rejected a plea agreement in this case for Potter and a plea agreement was filed past the filing deadline. The State and Potter’s defense attorney recommended a sentence for Potter, which the Judge took under consideration, but handed down this sentence.

Jamal Green, 17, of Muncie, was sentenced to 18 months in the Department of Corrections and 12 months of probation. He was released to his mother to serve his probation in Muncie. He was also ordered to pay $3,367.92 in restitution to the victim for medical expenses.

The pair were ordered to have no contact with the victim until after their entire sentence has been served.