Knox Board of Works Once Again Calls for Demolition of Garage at 204 W. Bender

The Knox Board of Works continues pushing for the demolition of a garage at 204 West Bender Street. A demolition order was issued more than two years ago, but owner Lucia Valladares argued that the structure was viable and contractors could have it repaired in two weeks. She continued appealing the order through the court system, until the Indiana Court of Appeals dismissed the matter earlier this month.

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Elven McCarty Appeals 77-Year Sentence

Elven McCarty

The Indiana Court of Appeals recently reviewed an appeal filed by Elven McCarty of Knox who was convicted of child molesting, incest and sexual battery and given a 77-year prison sentence following a trial on the matter in October of 2018 in Starke Circuit Court.  He argued that the evidence was insufficient to support his convictions and that his sentence was inappropriate. 

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Knox School Superintendent Reviews Recent Court of Appeals Visit

The Indiana Court of Appeals’ visit to Knox High School this month proved to be a great civics lesson for students, according to School Superintendent Dr. William Reichhart. “A lot of us just see ‘Judge Judy’ and we think that’s how all the court cases are, and so it was good for our students to be able to participate in that,” Reichhart recently told the school board.

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City Tavern Building Demolition Order Affirmed by Court of Appeals

The removal of what’s left of the former City Tavern Building can finally proceed, following a lengthy legal battle. Culver Town Attorney Jim Clevenger shared the Indiana Court of Appeals’ finding during Tuesday’s town council meeting. “A 24-page public opinion on our case, ‘Culver versus The 27 Group and Mr. Scotty VanHawk,’ and the Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court order for demolition!” Clevenger announced.

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Jerry Leonard’s Child Molesting Convictions Upheld by Indiana Court of Appeals

Jerry Leonard

A man found guilty of child molesting has had his convictions affirmed by the Indiana Court of Appeals. Back in February, Jerry Leonard was sentenced in Starke Circuit Court to concurrent terms of 30 years in the Indiana Department of Correction with 10 years suspended, for two Class A felony counts of child molesting. Leonard appealed the convictions, arguing that his confession to police was not made voluntarily and “that the trial court abused its discretion” by admitting video of the police interview as evidence.

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