A daylight burglary that turned into a possible murder has sparked a widespread criminal investigation by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. A 18-year-old male and a male juvenile have been arrested in the case, but police say they are looking for more suspects. The case may involve a number of violent crimes, including robbery and burglary.
The case began when police responded to a 911 call regarding a home in northwest Indianapolis. The call was apparently made by the woman who lived in the house. The woman told police that, when she came home for lunch, she found her husband’s body. He apparently died from several gunshot wounds. Police believe that the intruders did not expect to find anyone at home when they broke in.
Police also canvassed the neighborhood and found a witness who allegedly saw several young men enter the couple’s home and leave hurriedly only minutes later. A videotape from a pawn shop security camera obtained by police allegedly shows one of the suspects selling items that police records state were stolen from other homes in the neighborhood. Police are using lists of items stolen in the deadly burglary and other burglaries to search for suspects. Police told newspaper reporters that nearly half a dozen teenagers may face charges connected to this case.
Police have described this case to reporters as “air-tight,” but they did not reveal the evidence that supposedly supports this claim. Anyone who has been charged with a violent crime is innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The same presumption applies to the defendants in this case. Nevertheless, the presumption of innocence is only the beginning of a successful defense. A capable criminal defense attorney may be able to attack the prosecution’s proof, assert various legal defenses, and negotiate a favorable plea agreement or obtain a verdict of not guilty.
Source: WTHR-TV, “Teen charged with murder of Indianapolis doctor,” Steve Jefferson, Dec. 16, 2017
