HAMMOND MAN FACES 30 YEARS IN FATAL VEHICLE SHOOTING
A Hammond man faces 30 years after pleading guilty to shooting a driver dead in July 2023 inside a vehicle.
Keith Johnson, 25, admitted June 15 to voluntary manslaughter under sudden heat, court records show.
If a judge accepts the deal, his sentencing hearing is Aug. 6.
While five people drove to Hammond, the men noticed Johnson was carrying a gun. That sparked an argument with Frank Pulling, 25, of Chicago, who was “on papers” — on probation– for a gun charge.
He didn’t want to be pulled over and go back to jail, according to court documents.
As Pulling took a woman home, Johnson pulled out the gun and shot Pulling in the back of the head, according to court documents.
Johnson appeared to turn the gun on the woman’s boyfriend, shooting him in the left shoulder. The man was also wounded in the right thigh, but he later told police he didn’t know how that happened, because his adrenaline was running high.
Johnson was also wounded.
MICHIGAN CITY MAN FACES UP TO 18 YEARS IN DEADLY SHOOTING
A Michigan City man faces up to 18 years in a plea deal for killing his brother.
Julian Ellis, 41, pleaded guilty June 18 to reckless homicide, a Level 5 felony, and a gun enhancement. A Level 5 felony carries a sentence of 1-6 years, while there is a 12-year cap on the enhancement.
If a judge accepts the plea, the sentencing hearing is July 15.
Ellis originally told police Claudell Ellis, 44, grabbed his steering wheel and caused him to crash into a tree, documents allege.
He told cops he couldn’t physically fight his bigger brother and just wanted to scare him. He forgot the gun was loaded.
MERRILLVILLE MAN COULD GET PROBATION FOR E.C. SHOOTING
A Merrillville man faces 18 months on probation after admitting he shot a bystander during an East Chicago car show.
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Trey Kelly, 33, pleaded guilty June 11 to criminal recklessness, a Level 6 felony. He will also have to take a gun safety class.
If a judge accepts the plea agreement, his sentencing is July 21.
Police responded in the afternoon on Oct. 1, 2023, to the 3300 block of Aldis Avenue for a reported shooting.
Officers learned Kelly got into a confrontation around 3:44 p.m. with three brothers from a family there in the parking lot, court records state.
The shooting was captured on the city’s cameras. The victim was shot in the leg.
INITIAL TRIAL DATE SET FOR CHILD MOLESTING CASE
A judge set an initial Nov. 16 trial date this week for a Gary man charged with molesting five girls.
Garry Young, 55, was charged Feb. 22, 2024, with 16 felonies, including 12 counts of child molesting and two counts of sexual misconduct with a minor.
Two of the counts — Level 1 Felony child molesting — would each carry 20-40 years, if convicted.
One victim, who is now in her early 20s, told Gary Police in a July 28 interview she wanted to come forward so “it won’t happen to nobody else,” the affidavit states.
The affidavit alleges Young started touching her inappropriately as a preteen, and the abuse continued into middle school.
When a woman confronted him, Young “would act like the victim,” cried and threatened to kill himself, according to court records.
[email protected]; Post-Tribune archives contributed.