GARY MAN FACES 45 YEARS IN VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER PLEA
A Gary man faces 45 years in prison after admitting he beat a man to death.
Larry Buchanan, Jr., 43, pleaded guilty but mentally ill Wednesday to voluntary manslaughter, a Level 2 felony, and a habitual offender enhancement.
If a judge accepts, his sentencing is Aug. 12.
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Darryl Bradley, 55, died Dec. 27, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner.
Gary Police responded at 8:50 p.m. Dec. 25 to the 1100 block of Jennings Street for a reported beating.
Bradley’s girlfriend said Buchanan, her relative, had stayed there for two months.
Buchanan had been off his medication when he started badly beating Bradley for an unknown reason, she said. Buchanan punched him with his fists before Bradley fell, then he stomped on him repeatedly and knelt to punch him again in the face.
The girlfriend tried to intervene, but Buchanan threatened to hit her as well. He appeared “heavily intoxicated” and couldn’t stand, police wrote.
LAKE STATION MAN AVOIDS PRISON IN FATAL CRASH
A Lake Station man avoided prison Wednesday in an August 2022 fatal crash.
Cody Huseman, 38, pleaded guilty in February to causing death when operating a motor vehicle with an ACE of .08 or more, a Level 4 felony.
Judge Natalie Bokota sentenced him to three years on home detention and another three on probation.
Indiana State Police responded to a crash report at 4:44 a.m. Aug. 8, 2022, at Interstate 80’s Ripley Street exit.
Huseman, alone in a Buick Verano, rear-ended a Subaru. Christina D. Booth, 58, of Portage, died the following day. She was a passenger in the Subaru. Two other men were in the vehicle.
Deputy Prosecutor Amy Pullen said Booth’s family was “surprised” charges were filed and stopped responding to her calls.
Defense lawyer Mike Woods said the case was “odd.” Booth already had preexisting conditions that put her in fragile health before the crash.
The lawyer said Huseman was a veteran and former cop who wanted to take responsibility for his actions.
Huseman spoke briefly, saying he had been working for some time on his struggles with alcohol.
“I have no doubt you can succeed in overcoming your addiction,” Bokota told him. “I look forward to the day you have more mastery.”
GARY WOMAN AVOIDS PRISON IN INJURY CRASH
A Gary woman avoided prison Wednesday for an April 2023 injury crash.
Lateshia Adams, 45, pleaded guilty in May to criminal recklessness, a Level 6 felony, and misdemeanor operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person.
Judge Salvador Vasquez sentenced her to 18 months in work release and one year on probation, court filings show.
A couple told investigators they were riding north on U.S. 41 on April 15, 2023, and turning right on 117th Avenue in Cedar Lake when Adams’ red Honda motorcycle crashed into them from behind.
The man’s wife was thrown off their Harley, while the red Honda motorcycle hit the man’s right leg. He was briefly pinned when his motorcycle fell. Both were taken to the hospital. The wife had a head injury and road rash.
Adams was also taken to the hospital. She told investigators the motorcycle ahead braked suddenly and she tried to avoid it.
She had smoked marijuana recently and had a toxicology test.
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