GUILTY IN - Amanda Blackburn, 28, pregnant, murdered, Indianapolis, 10 Nov 2015 #4

[FrostedGlass]

@FrostedGlass - any updates yet on Gordan's court site?

TIA!

I wonder what's up with this next hearing. Considering this case is almost 7 years old, isn't it kind of late for probable cause?

09/16/2022 = Hearing Scheduling Activity
Probable Cause Hearing scheduled for 09/23/2022 at 9:30 AM.

09/23/2022 = Pretrial Conference
Session: 09/23/2022 9:30 AM, Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W

 

[Niner]

I wonder what's up with this next hearing. Considering this case is almost 7 years old, isn't it kind of late for probable cause?

09/16/2022 = Hearing Scheduling Activity
Probable Cause Hearing scheduled for 09/23/2022 at 9:30 AM.

09/23/2022 = Pretrial Conference
Session: 09/23/2022 9:30 AM, Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W

Actually I do not see a preliminary hearing for him - he was just charged on 1/14/16 & I have no arraignment date listed. So yes, it could possible take 7 years (!!!!) to come to a probable cause hearing - !

and thanks for the info!

 

[FrostedGlass]

@Niner Here we go:

01/14/2016	Case Opened as a New Filing
01/14/2016	Probable Cause Affidavit Filed File Stamp: 01/14/2016
01/14/2016	Information Filed File Stamp: 01/14/2016
01/14/2016	Probable Cause Found: Order Issued Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W Order Signed: 01/14/2016
01/14/2016	Warrant or Writ of Attmnt for the Body of a Person Issued
01/14/2016	Hearing Scheduling Activity Initial Hearing scheduled for 01/15/2016 at 8:30 AM.
01/14/2016	Warrant or Writ of Attmnt for the Body of a Person Served
01/15/2016	Initial Hearing Session: 01/15/2016 8:30 AM, Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W Result: Commenced and concluded
01/15/2016	Advisement of Rights Conducted Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W
01/15/2016	Indigent Counsel Appointed at County Expense David Hurley
01/15/2016	Omnibus Date 2/26/16

 

[Niner]

@Niner Here we go:

01/14/2016	Case Opened as a New Filing
01/14/2016	Probable Cause Affidavit Filed File Stamp: 01/14/2016
01/14/2016	Information Filed File Stamp: 01/14/2016
01/14/2016	Probable Cause Found: Order Issued Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W Order Signed: 01/14/2016
01/14/2016	Warrant or Writ of Attmnt for the Body of a Person Issued
01/14/2016	Hearing Scheduling Activity Initial Hearing scheduled for 01/15/2016 at 8:30 AM.
01/14/2016	Warrant or Writ of Attmnt for the Body of a Person Served
01/15/2016	Initial Hearing Session: 01/15/2016 8:30 AM, Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W Result: Commenced and concluded
01/15/2016	Advisement of Rights Conducted Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W
01/15/2016	Indigent Counsel Appointed at County Expense David Hurley
01/15/2016	Omnibus Date 2/26/16

Well - than - I take that back... guess they (he) wants a re-do??!! I have no idea! LOL!

 

[FrostedGlass]

Well - than - I take that back... guess they (he) wants a re-do??!! I have no idea! LOL!

Since he's testifying, he's likely getting a plea deal. They probably all need a memory refresh. Speaking of a plea deal, I'm beginning to feel the need to drag my soapbox out.

 

[Niner]

Since he's testifying, he's likely getting a plea deal. They probably all need a memory refresh. Speaking of a plea deal, I'm beginning to feel the need to drag my soapbox out.

 

[FrostedGlass]

Memory refresh: I forgot he got a deal back in 2018. They dropped all counts except for count 5.

05/23/2018

Judgment Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W 05. 35-42-5-1(1)/F2: Robbery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury Injury to someone other than a defendant • Plea by Agreement

 

[Niner]

Memory refresh: I forgot he got a deal back in 2018. They dropped all counts except for count 5.

05/23/2018

Judgment Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W 05. 35-42-5-1(1)/F2: Robbery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury Injury to someone other than a defendant • Plea by Agreement

okay - so this is what I have on my notes:

charged with 2 counts of murder, robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, 2 counts of burglary, theft, intimidation, criminal confinement & battery resulting in moderate bodily injury.

So what I have in red bold - should not be there, correct? Do you know what kind of plea agreement?

 

[Niner]

Never mind on the plea deal - I have it:

Gordon: Change of plea (4/5/21) Plead guilty to count 5. Case #49D31-1601-MR-001659-Plea on 5/23/18: Counts 1-4 & 6 were all dismissed. 1) Murder, 2) Murder, 3) Burglary, 4) Theft where value of property is, 6) Habitual Offender & Plea by agreement: 5) Robbery W/serious bodily injury.
Case #49D31-1512-F4-043993-Plea of guilty on 5/23/18: Counts 2, 4, 5 were all dismissed. 1) Burglary, burglary of a dwelling, 2) Theft where value of property is between $750 & $50k, 3) Burglary, burglary of a dwelling, 4) Theft where value of property is between $750 & $50k, 5) Habitual Offender & Plea of guilty by Agreement (all counts): 1) Burglary, burglary of a dwelling & 3) Burglary, burglary of a dwelling.

 

[Niner]

Okay - here are the case # of the present charges:
Marion County #49D31-1601-MR-001659 (murder)/#49G05-1512-F4-043993 (burglary & theft)/# 49D31-1907-F6-026082

Those match what he plead to.

Now I am confused - what is he charged with now?? And is there a new case # - could it be the last one on my list above?

 

[FrostedGlass]

Okay - here are the case # of the present charges:
Marion County #49D31-1601-MR-001659 (murder)/#49G05-1512-F4-043993 (burglary & theft)/# 49D31-1907-F6-026082

Those match what he plead to.

Now I am confused - what is he charged with now?? And is there a new case # - could it be the last one on my list above?

I don't know without going back over them. Maybe everything is done except for his testimony and then sentencing for the pleas? It'll be late today before I can get back to this.

 

[Niner]

I don't know without going back over them. Maybe everything is done except for his testimony and then sentencing for the pleas? It'll be late today before I can get back to this.

Okay - no problem. Maybe you can find the case #49D31-1907-F6-026082 - and see if those are his current charges - whatever it says on there. Take your time - no rush! Just trying to get my notes straight - when you reminded me of the plea deal & some charges dismissed.

 

[FrostedGlass]

@Niner To the best of my non-professional opinion, I don't think Gordon is being charged with anything; he's already been charged, made his deals and is waiting for sentencing. Hopefully that will come as soon as Taylor goes to trial for the Blackburn murder and the rape he is accused of while he and Gordon were robbing.

This one: 49D31-1907-F6-026082 is one he committed with Billy Holmes while he was out on pre-trial release, on 5/17/2019. Now, on 2/11/2022, Holmes' charges were dismissed so I don't know what they are going to do about Gordon's part in that crime. His case was tracking behind Holmes' case. Since the next date is the same for all 3 of his cases, I'm wondering if it's now tracking with his other two.

As a side note, Holmes and a person named Gerald Tyree Jr were co-defendants in a murder on 11/29/2016. Holmes got a plea deal out of it (which is probably why they dismissed his case with Gordon).

These are the charges for Gordon in the F6 case with Holmes:

Charges​

Show all charge details

01	05/17/2019	35-42-2-1(c)(1)/F6: Battery Resulting in Moderate Bodily Injury
02	05/17/2019	35-42-3-3(a)/F6:Criminal Confinement
03	05/17/2019	35-45-2-1(a)(1)/F6: Intimidation where threat is to commit forcible felony

 

[Niner]

@Niner To the best of my non-professional opinion, I don't think Gordon is being charged with anything; he's already been charged, made his deals and is waiting for sentencing. Hopefully that will come as soon as Taylor goes to trial for the Blackburn murder and the rape he is accused of while he and Gordon were robbing.

This one: 49D31-1907-F6-026082 is one he committed with Billy Holmes while he was out on pre-trial release, on 5/17/2019. Now, on 2/11/2022, Holmes' charges were dismissed so I don't know what they are going to do about Gordon's part in that crime. His case was tracking behind Holmes' case. Since the next date is the same for all 3 of his cases, I'm wondering if it's now tracking with his other two.

As a side note, Holmes and a person named Gerald Tyree Jr were co-defendants in a murder on 11/29/2016. Holmes got a plea deal out of it (which is probably why they dismissed his case with Gordon).

These are the charges for Gordon in the F6 case with Holmes:

Charges​

Show all charge details

01	05/17/2019	35-42-2-1(c)(1)/F6: Battery Resulting in Moderate Bodily Injury
02	05/17/2019	35-42-3-3(a)/F6:Criminal Confinement
03	05/17/2019	35-45-2-1(a)(1)/F6: Intimidation where threat is to commit forcible felony

Too much to remember!! LOL! But I shall make some notes on this. And will correct the charges on Gordon Gordan.

 

[Niner]

I shall shorten this up a bit!

Monday, Sept. 19th:
*Bench Trial set to begin (Blackburn) (@ 9am CT) - IN - Amanda Blackburn (28) (was 12 weeks pregnant shot to death, Nov. 10, 2015, Indianapolis) - *Larry Jo Taylor, Jr. (18/now 25) arrested & charged (11/23/15) & arraigned (11/25/15) with murder willful intent, murder in the course of a burglary, murder in the course of a robbery, murder enhancement, carrying a handgun without a license, criminal confinement, 2 counts burglary (11/10/15), 2 counts of theft (11/10/15), 3 counts of rape (11/3/15), robbery resulting in serious bodily injury (11/3/15), public indecency & public nudity. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Watson & Gordon confessed that Taylor was the shooter. In the Nov. 3, 2015 case, tests found that Taylor's DNA matched samples found on the victim & her clothing.
Trial was set to begin on 12/6/21 for murder only, but was declared a mistrial by Judge Grant Hawkins when a juror found out that Amanda was pregnant. Trial was set to begin on 6/3/22 with jury selection & trial was to begin on 6/6/22 but motion for mistrial-granted by Judge Grant Hawkins when questioning jurors & they knew about Amanda’s pregnancy. Jury Selection was on 6/3/22. Jurors were dismissed.
Trial rescheduled with jury selection on 8/19/22 & trial set to begin on 8/29/22 continued on
Bench trial on 9/19/22. (for Blackburn 3-4 days).
Rape: Trial set to begin on 11/21/22.
Court info from 12/1/21 thru 6/2/22 & Blackburn Jury Selection (6/3/22) & 6/3/22 thru 7/26/22 reference post #740 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...red-indianapolis-10-nov-2015-4.295601/page-37
8/19/22: Blackburn: Waiver hearing. In person (jury waive). Commenced & concluded. Defendant present in custody, Attorneys Vincent Casanova & Deana Martin, State's Daniel Cicchini & Emily Snyder. Order granting request to waive jury. Bench trial starts on 9/19/22 @ 9am (3-4 days).
9/13/22 Update: Public Indecency: Final pretrial conference hearing on 9/13/22. Rape: Next final pretrial conference hearing on 11/15/22 @ 1:30pm & trial set to begin on 11/21/22 @ 9am (2-3 days). 9/13/22 Update: Public Indecency: Hearing commenced & concluded. Judge Grant Hawkins presiding. Next final pretrial conference hearing on 11/15/22 @ 2:41pm.
*Rolando Gonzalez-Hernandez (26) (shot to death, Nov. 4, 2015, Indianapolis) - Larry Jo Taylor, Jr. (18/now 25) charged (12/29/15) with murder, felony murder & robbery resulting in serious bodily injury.
Court info starting on 12/1/21 to 7/12/22 reference post #740 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...red-indianapolis-10-nov-2015-4.295601/page-37
7/13/22 Update: Next pretrial conference hearing on 9/13/22. 9/13/22 Update: Hearing commenced & concluded. Judge Grant Hawkins presiding. Next final pretrial conference hearing on 11/15/22 @ 2:41pm.
*Diano Cortez Gordan (24/now 30) – Plead guilty (4/5/21) to all charges but murder & sentencing hearing on 5/6/22 was continued. Plea deal. Next pretrial conference hearing on 9/23/22 for probable cause hearing.
*Jalen Emmanuel Watson (21/now 27) – Plead guilty (10/27/17) & sentenced to 29 years. Earliest possible release date: 8/17/2037.

 

[FrostedGlass]

So far, there is no live stream and I can't find any MSM tweeting about it.

 

[Simon Gotch]

Rich Nye is covering the trial on Twitter. Twitter handle @RichNye13

 

[Niner]

Rich Nye is covering the trial on Twitter. Twitter handle @RichNye13

I shall grab what is there... BRB

 

[Niner]

Rich Nye
@RichNye13
·
10m
There is a large contingent of family & friends of Amanda Blackburn who are here for the bench trial of Larry Jo Taylor Jr. Diano Gordon & Jalen Watson have already accepted plea agreements in the case & point to Taylor as the man who shot & killed Amanda in November 2015.



Bench trial underway for Larry Jo Taylor, Jr. for the murder of Amanda Blackburn in Nov 10, 2015. The pregnant mother died of a gunshot to the head. Her husband, pastor Davey Blackburn, came home from the gym to find her in a pool of blood in front of the fireplace.

Opening statement: Prosecution says Taylor & 2 buddies needed money, burglarized home across the street from Blackburn residence. Saw Davey leave, so they burglarized his home. 2 buddies left with ATM card, went to ATM, callled back to Taylor at house for PIN number.

Defense in opening statement says this case will show doubt over who had cell phones and where calls were made from.

Pastor Davey Blackburn is testifying about his wife, Amanda's murder. He says he got up about 4:30 am that morning, read his Bible, then went to the gym about 6 am. Was at the gym for about an hour.

Blackburn says he left the house unlocked because they only had one house key at the time and it was on his wife's key ring.

Blackburn was on the phone when he came back home talking to a friend. He stayed in the driveway outside because he didn't want to wake up his son or wife. He came back in the house after 8 am.


Davey says he found Amanda face down, naked on the floor, a shirt on her arms as if pulled off. He could not wake her up and she was bleeding. He called 911.

Davey found a pack of Swisher Sweet cigars in the house and noticed Amanda's pocketbook on the floor. He did not know Amanda had been shot until after she was taken to the hospital. He later noticed that a backpack with a laptop computer was missing.

Davey also learned that someone had tried to withdraw funds from the couple's checking account.

An EMT testified that when he arrived, Amanda was unconscious, but breathing with a pulse. He noticed brain matter near her body. Amanda did not die until the next day at the hospital.

Also from opening statements, prosecution says that Taylor told accomplices "I smoked her" when they picked him back up at the Blackburn house after going to ATM machines.

Neighbor lady testifies that she came home the morning Amanda Blackburn was murdered to find her home broken into, ransacked & TVs stolen. Also a favorite pink sweater was taken. She lived across the street from Blackburn residence on the northwest side.

Another woman testifies that her eastside apartment was burglarized as she slept, her phone, her keys & car stolen on same morning that Amanda Blackburn was killed. Her security system captured photos of 3 men in her house.

Prosecution says Larry Jo Taylor, Jalen Watson & and Diano Gordon were in the eastside woman's stolen car, a silver Chrysler Sebring, during a crime spree that included killing Amanda Blackburn.

Court is in recess for lunch until 1:15 pm.

link: https://twitter.com/richnye13

 

[Niner]

I am off for the night - the guy has not posted anything after lunch.

I can pick up the tweets in the morning - unless someone else (@FrostedGlass ) want to pick up those up. I do not mind doing it in the morning though!