Suspect in shooting death assigned public defender

July 07--GOSHEN -- An Illinois man charged with murder appeared for an initial hearing in Elkhart County Circuit Court Thursday morning.

Tyrell Beavers, 18, Plainfield, Illinois, has been charged with the death of 24-year-old Brandon Jackson of Elkhart, who was found shot to death June 23 at 207 West Garfield Avenue in Elkhart.

Beavers pleaded not guilty and was appointed a public defender by Judge Terry Shewmaker.

Shewmaker set his trial date for Aug. 29.

Beavers was arrested by Elkhart police July 1 after an autopsy was conducted by Elkhart County Coroner John White and the cause of death was determined to be multiple gunshot wounds and White ruled Jackson's death as a homicide.

Beavers remains in custody at the Elkhart County jail. No bond has been set in his case.

If convicted, Beavers could be sentenced up to 65 years in prison with a $10,000 fine.

In other Circuit Court proceedings, three co-defendants appeared for initial hearings on amended robbery-related charges for allegedly victimizing three elderly people.

Jamie Lee Hancock, 45, Jonie Lee McMahan, 34, and Amanda Wrye, 29, all of Elkhart, have been charged with robbery with serious bodily injury, a Level 2 felony, robbery and criminal confinement with serious bodily injury, each a Level 3 felony, and criminal confinement with bodily injury, a Level 5 felony.

The amended charges include another count of robbery resulting in bodily injury, a Level 3 felony, and criminal confinement with bodily injury, a Level 5 felony.

McMahan appeared with her attorney Peter Todd and Wyre appeared with her attorney Clifford Williams for a pre-trial hearing Thursday morning. McMahan and Wyre remain at the Elkhart County jail in lieu of a $100,000 bond.

Hancock's attorney Jeffrey Majerek appeared with his client.

"I want to fire my attorney and represent myself and be released on my own recognizance today," Hancock told Shewmaker. "Only I can get the evidence to prove my innocence."

Hancock is set for trial Aug. 1 along with his co-defendants, McMahan and Wrye.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Eric Ditton argued against Hancock being released on his own recognizance, stating the defendant has several felony convictions and eight prior probation failures to appear in his criminal history.

"I don't believe Hancock, he is a danger to the community and a danger to the victims," Ditton said.

Shewmaker told Hancock he should keep his appointed counsel, and not represent himself.

"I think you are making a mistake," the judge said. "I will appoint Majerek as your stand-by counsel.

The judge denied Hancock's request to be released on his own recognizance and as Hancock was led from the courtroom, Hancock said, "For the record judge, you are denying me my constitutional rights."

The three co-defendants were arrested in connection with two armed robberies that occurred May 2 involving elderly victims living at 56529 Fountain Row and 57571 Hawthorne in Elkhart. The suspects forced their way into homes after claiming that their vehicle had broken down, according to police.

Hancock remains in custody at the Elkhart County jail in lieu of a $200,000 bond.

If convicted, a Level 2 felony carries a maximum sentence of up to 30 years in prison with a $10,000 fine, a Level 3 felony carries a sentence of up to 16 years and a Level 5 felony carries a sentence of up to six years.

Insurance fraud conviction

Oscar M. Mendoza, 37, Elkhart, pleaded guilty to unemployment insurance fraud, a Class C felony, in Marion County Criminal Court Three, according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

Mendoza was sentenced Wednesday to two years home detention, two years of probation and ordered to repay Indiana Department of Workforce Development $65,115 for benefits he fraudulently collected.

Through the use of agency records, a DWD employee began an investigation and determined that Mendoza was working and receiving wages while claiming unemployment insurance benefits. DWD receives wage reports and new hire data from Hoosier employers documenting who is employed and receiving compensation. The agency uses this information to ensure people are not collecting unemployment insurance benefits while working.

___

(c)2016 the Goshen News (Goshen, Ind.)

Visit the Goshen News (Goshen, Ind.) at www.goshennews.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.