Not Guilty Plea Entered in Daymond Hartley Case

An initial hearing was held Thursday afternoon in Pulaski Circuit Court in the case of Daymond Hartley.

Special Judge Michael Shurn entered a plea of not guilty for Hartley. He faces one felony count of theft after he allegedly admitted to taking $6,352 from an evidence locker at the Winamac Police Department on Feb. 25, but he returned the money on April 6. The money was placed into the locker as it was evidence in a fatal accident involving Jamie Sheets. Judge Shurn read aloud from court documents which indicated that the money belonged to Jamie Sheets at the time of the offense.

Hartley reportedly admitted to Winamac Police Chief Michael Buchanan to taking the money to help his mother pay for a needed dental procedure.

Hartley was read his rights and told Special Judge Michael Shurn that he retained Tim Murray as his defense counsel.

The case was moved to the Pulaski County Circuit Court as Superior Court Judge Patrick Blankenship recused himself from the case.  Pulaski County Deputy Prosecutor Blair Todd represents the State in this case.

Hartley’s next court date is June 20 at 10:30 a.m. ET.