Hancock County native found guilty in slaying
INDIANAPOLIS — A Marion County jury this week found a Hancock County native guilty of the murder of her former boyfriend and the attempted murder of her romantic rival, records show.
Rebecca Lawson, 27, 5290 Reeder St., Indianapolis, was accused of shooting two people last year in Indianapolis, officials said. She was charged with one count of murder and one Level 1 felony count of attempted murder, records show. This week, a jury found Lawson guilty of both counts following a three-day trial in Marion County Criminal Division 2, records show.
Plea offered in sex case, could extend sentence
GREENFIELD — A man convicted of killing his 1-year-old daughter could have at least 24 years — or as many as 66 — added to his sentence depending on the outcome of an unrelated sexual assault case in Henry County.
A Hancock County jury found Matthew Wagoner, 32, of Greenfield, guilty of murder last year in the death of his young daughter, Zoey; he was sentenced to serve 67½ years in the Indiana Department of Correction.
He currently is being housed in the state’s Miami Correctional Facility in Bunker Hill with his earliest possible release date set for June 2064 when he is 79.
Attorney: Client needs mental evaluation
GREENFIELD — The attorney for a man accused of murder said his client could have a mental disability that prevents him from fully understanding the case against him, in which case the confession he gave police should be tossed, court documents show.
New Palestine attorney John Merlau has asked that his client, Spencer Spielman, who faces charges of murder and robbery in the death of 52-year-old Patty Dresser of Greenfield, be evaluated by psychologists before the case goes to trial, court records state.
Depending on the doctors’ findings, Merlau likely will challenge whether a confession Spielman reportedly made to police should be presented during the defendant’s trial, court records state.
Greenfield soup kitchen mulling changes
GREENFIELD — Should the Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen, 202 E. Main St., renovate its unused second story, it could solve two problems at once, organizers said: overflow donations could be stored upstairs, and the room could double as a safe and warm space for area residents in need of shelter during inclement weather.
Executive director Jill Ebbert brought the issue to the Hancock County Board of Commissioners this week in hopes of finding a solution.
Ebbert told the board the soup kitchen and three other social service nonprofits are searching for a place to store the donations they collect from the community.
