friendlysleuther

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  • #1
Leslie Hope Houston, 46, was found unresponsive in her Anderson, Indiana home on October 11, 2024. She was later declared brain dead and died from a massive brain bleed.

On May 27, 2025, her husband, John Hardy Daughtery Jr., was arrested and charged with her murder.

On October 10, 2024, Houston’s daughter called police to request a domestic violence welfare check. Officers responded but never physically saw Houston; they left the scene believing she was okay.

Less than 24 hours later, on October 11, Houston, 46, was found unresponsive in her Anderson home. Daughtery initially told emergency responders that she had fallen and broken her glasses. In subsequent interviews, his story changed multiple times—claiming at different points that she had been vomiting, choking, or simply passed out. Investigators noted that none of his versions aligned with the severity of Houston’s injuries.

A search warrant was conducted on 10/13/2024
in which the residence was photographed, and swabs of blood stains were collected.
Photographs were also taken of Daughtery's person. Daughtery had a small burn on his hand,
small scratch on his left and right shoulder and a small bruise in the small of his back.

The autopsy determined her cause of death was an intracranial hemorrhage. Manner of death: Unknown.

Injuries documented included bruises and abrasions on her neck, chest, face, arms, legs, hips, and feet.
Medical staff raised concerns of blunt force trauma and strangulation.

Multiple family members reported and gave evidence of Daughterys abuse towards Houston. Houston’s father told police he had intervened in February of 2024 when Daughtery was strangling her and slamming her head against the floor. Her uncle and cousin also described visible injuries over the years, including black eyes, bruises on her arm as if someone had grabbed her, neck bruising and broken glasses. All described Daughtery as controlling, violent, and isolating.

Just two weeks before her death, Houston left a voicemail to her daughter, saying:

“He’s been hitting me, and he said.. He’s not going to stop. I’m ready to file a protection order”

Sources
Docs: Anderson man charged with killing wife in domestic violence incident

Anderson man charged with murder of wife

Inmate Listing: Inmate Detail - Daughtery, John Hardy
 
Last edited:
  • #2
@friendlysleuther - if you could give me his next court date I can keep a running info on this case for you! And anything else on his court docs that pertain to his case, i.e. motions, etc. TIA! :)

I can not access Indiana court sites.
 
  • #3
He looks evil. He IS evil

 
  • #4
  • #5
  • #6
  • #7
So - any court dates yet?? TIA! :)
None as of right now. He had an initial hearing on May 30th, 2025.

To view Indiana court records you can go to www.mycase.in.gov

To search by person, you can type in the last name “Daughtery” and he is first (as of now) to show up.

Or, you can search by case number: 48C03-2505-MR-001532


However, i forgot to mention- They have filed for a Habitual Offender Enhancement meaning, if he is found guilty, he is facing an additional 8-20 years.

This enhancement applies when a person has prior, unrelated felony convictions. It’s not a separate charge—it’s a sentencing enhancement that attaches to the most serious felony conviction.


If convicted, and the jury (or judge) finds that he qualifies as a habitual offender,
  • He must be sentenced to an additional fixed term between 8 and 20 years,
  • The extra time cannot be suspended or reduced.
 
  • #8
@friendlysleuther - I can not access Indiana court sites - so I am going to have to rely on YOU to give me the updates on hearing. :D Is that okay - if I bother you every week or so? :D

edited to add - and yes - I saw the enhancements!!
 
  • #9
, Houston’s daughter called police to request a domestic violence welfare check. Officers responded but never physically saw Houston; they left the scene believing she was okay.

WHY is this acceptable? Believed she was okay based on what?

It’s 2025 and we’re still taking the word of the husband/boyfriend/whoever that they just had a small tiff like couples do, or she ran off with her other boyfriend, or left without telling him anything, whats a guy to do, etc, etc.

Just infuriating.
 
  • #10
WHY is this acceptable? Believed she was okay based on what?

It’s 2025 and we’re still taking the word of the husband/boyfriend/whoever that they just had a small tiff like couples do, or she ran off with her other boyfriend, or left without telling him anything, whats a guy to do, etc, etc.

Just infuriating.
Yep. Based on… Officers going to the door, husband answering & then Houston saying “I’m fine” from the other end of the house. 🙃 great work… (considering she was found less than 24 hours later, deceased & covered in bruises)
 
  • #11
Wednesday, July 2nd:
*Dispositional/Trial Setting Hearing (@ 8:30am ET) - IN - Leslie Hope Houston, 46 was found unresponsive in her Anderson home on Oct. 11, 2024. Declared brain dead & died from a massive brain bleed on Oct. 15, 2024. *John Hardy Daughtery, Jr. (48) was arrested & charged (5/27/25) with murder (Court officials are also seeking a habitual offender enhancement). Held without bond. Plead not guilty. Madison County
5/28/25 Docket update: Notice of exclusion of confidential information. Access to Court Records (exclusion). Probable Cause Affidavit filed by State. Affidavit of Probable Cause redacted. Probable Cause Affidavit Confidential. Appearance filed by Deputy Prosecutor, Jennifer Haley, as second chair. Notice filed. Appearance - Victim Advocate.
5/29/25 Docket update: Probable Cause found: Order Issued. Warrant or Writ of Attmnt for the Body of a person Issued. Warrant or Writ of Attmnt for the Body of a person served. Automated paper Notice issued to Parties. Probable Cause Found: Order issued by Jaime Lynn Nelson. Automated ENotice issued to Parties. Probable Cause found: Order issued to John H. Daughtery, Rodney Justin Cummings & Jennifer Haley Springer. Information filed.
5/30/25 Update: Initial hearing before Judge Jason Childers. Commenced & concluded. Appearance filed by John Reeder on behalf of the Defendant Daughtery. Hearing Journal entry: This matter comes before the court for initial hearing via video. Defendant appears in custody of the Madison County Sheriff via Video & is advised of his constitutional and legal rights. The defendant intends to hire private counsel (John Reeder). Omnibus date is 7/30/25 automatic plea of not guilty is entered. NO BOND.
6/5/25 Docket update: Dispositional hearing scheduled for 07/02/25 @ 8:30am. Discovery Order entered. Court enters its standard order of discovery. Judicial Officer Andrew Hopper. Noticed: State of Indiana, Jaime Lynn Nelson, Rodney Justin Cummings & Jennifer Haley Springer. Hearing Scheduling Activity: Comes now the Court & schedules a Dispositional/Trial Setting hearing on 7/2/25 @ 8:30am. Defendant is ordered to appear. Parties are directed to meet informally prior to said hearing date. State directed to e-file notice of informal pretrial conference.
 
  • #12
@friendlysleuther - so any updates in the court site on his last hearing? I have his next hearing on 7/30/25. TIA! :)
 
  • #13
@friendlysleuther - just a small bump - next is omnibus hearing on 7/30 right? And any court updates? TIA! :)
 
  • #14
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You can become a Websleuths Guardian.
One of the perks of becoming a Guardian is happening this Saturday, July 12th, from Noon to 8 PM Eastern, when we will have our first Zoom call with the mods and the Guardians.
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If you are already a Guardian and want to know more about the Zoom call this Saturday, CLICK HERE.
See you on Zoom
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PS. Please don't discuss on this thread.
CLICK HERE and post any questions.
 
  • #15
@friendlysleuther - you must be busy somewhere else - I am going to move him to the omnibus hearing on 7/30/25 unless you give me another date! :)
 
  • #16
@Niner,

Picking up where @friendlysleuther left off, around 02JUN25:



06/05/2025
Discovery Order Entered
Court enters its standard order of discovery. tj
Judicial Officer:
Hopper, Andrew
Noticed:
State of Indiana
Noticed:
Nelson, Jaime Lynn
Noticed:
Cummings, Rodney Justin
Noticed:
Springer, Jennifer Haley
Order Signed:
06/05/2025

06/05/2025
Hearing Scheduling Activity
Comes now the Court and schedules a Dispositional/ Trial Setting hearing on 7/2/2025 at 8:30 a.m. Defendant is ordered to appear. Parties are directed to meet informally prior to said hearing date. State directed to e-file notice of informal pretrial conference. (tj)

06/05/2025
Notice Filed
Notice of Pretrial Assessment. tj
File Stamp:
05/30/2025

06/06/2025
Automated Paper Notice Issued to Parties
Hearing Journal Entry ---- 6/5/2025 : Jaime Lynn Nelson Hearing Scheduling Activity ---- 6/5/2025 : Jaime Lynn Nelson Discovery Order Entered ---- 6/5/2025 : Jaime Lynn Nelson Hearing Scheduling Activity ---- 6/5/2025 : Jaime Lynn Nelson

06/06/2025
Automated ENotice Issued to Parties
Hearing Journal Entry ---- 6/5/2025 : John Charles Reeder;Rodney Justin Cummings;Jennifer Haley Springer Hearing Scheduling Activity ---- 6/5/2025 : John Charles Reeder;Rodney Justin Cummings;Jennifer Haley Springer Hearing Scheduling Activity ---- 6/5/2025 : John Charles Reeder;Rodney Justin Cummings;Jennifer Haley Springer Discovery Order Entered ---- 6/5/2025 : Rodney Justin Cummings;Jennifer Haley Springer

07/01/2025
Notification of Compliance
State's Notice of Discovery Compliance
Party:
State of Indiana
File Stamp:
06/30/2025

07/01/2025
Motion for Discovery Protective Order Filed
Motion for Discovery Protective Order (Daughtery).pdf
Filed By:
State of Indiana
File Stamp:
06/30/2025

07/01/2025
Order Granting
Order granting State's Motion for Discovery Protective Order issued. (md)
Order Signed:
07/01/2025

07/02/2025
Dispositional Hearing
Session:
07/02/2025 8:30 AM, Judicial Officer: Hopper, Andrew
Comment:
or Trial Setting
Result:
Reset

07/02/2025
Automated Paper Notice Issued to Parties
Order Granting ---- 7/1/2025 : Jaime Lynn Nelson

07/02/2025
Automated ENotice Issued to Parties
Order Granting ---- 7/1/2025 : John Charles Reeder;Rodney Justin Cummings;Jennifer Haley Springer

07/02/2025
Notification of Compliance
State's Notice of Discovery Compliance
Party:
State of Indiana
File Stamp:
07/02/2025

07/02/2025
Hearing Journal Entry
This matter comes before the Court scheduled for disposition/trial setting. State appears by Deputy Prosecutor, Jaime Nelson. Defendant appears in person and in the custody of the Madison County Sheriff and by counsel, John Reeder. Defense requests this matter to be continued as discovery is ongoing. State does not object. Comes now the Court and GRANTS said request. Delay due to this continuance is excluded from C.R. 4 due to Defendant's action. This matter is rescheduled for 9/3/2025 at 8:30 a.m. Defendant is ordered to appear. Defendant remanded back into the custody of the sheriff. (tj)
Judicial Officer:
Hopper, Andrew
Present:
Daughtery, John H. JR
Present:
Nelson, Jaime Lynn
Present:
Reeder, John Charles
Hearing Date:
07/02/2025

07/08/2025
Hearing Scheduling Activity
Dispositional Hearing scheduled for 09/03/2025 at 8:30 AM.

07/09/2025
Automated Paper Notice Issued to Parties
Hearing Scheduling Activity ---- 7/8/2025 : Jaime Lynn Nelson

07/09/2025
Automated ENotice Issued to Parties
Hearing Scheduling Activity ---- 7/8/2025 : John Charles Reeder;Rodney Justin Cummings;Jennifer Haley Springer

09/03/2025
Dispositional Hearing
Session:
09/03/2025 8:30 AM, Judicial Officer: Hopper, Andrew
Comment:
or trial setting
 
  • #17
@Niner,

Picking up where @friendlysleuther left off, around 02JUN25:



06/05/2025
Discovery Order Entered
Court enters its standard order of discovery. tj
Judicial Officer:
Hopper, Andrew
Noticed:
State of Indiana
Noticed:
Nelson, Jaime Lynn
Noticed:
Cummings, Rodney Justin
Noticed:
Springer, Jennifer Haley
Order Signed:
06/05/2025

06/05/2025
Hearing Scheduling Activity
Comes now the Court and schedules a Dispositional/ Trial Setting hearing on 7/2/2025 at 8:30 a.m. Defendant is ordered to appear. Parties are directed to meet informally prior to said hearing date. State directed to e-file notice of informal pretrial conference. (tj)

06/05/2025
Notice Filed
Notice of Pretrial Assessment. tj
File Stamp:
05/30/2025

06/06/2025
Automated Paper Notice Issued to Parties
Hearing Journal Entry ---- 6/5/2025 : Jaime Lynn Nelson Hearing Scheduling Activity ---- 6/5/2025 : Jaime Lynn Nelson Discovery Order Entered ---- 6/5/2025 : Jaime Lynn Nelson Hearing Scheduling Activity ---- 6/5/2025 : Jaime Lynn Nelson

06/06/2025
Automated ENotice Issued to Parties
Hearing Journal Entry ---- 6/5/2025 : John Charles Reeder;Rodney Justin Cummings;Jennifer Haley Springer Hearing Scheduling Activity ---- 6/5/2025 : John Charles Reeder;Rodney Justin Cummings;Jennifer Haley Springer Hearing Scheduling Activity ---- 6/5/2025 : John Charles Reeder;Rodney Justin Cummings;Jennifer Haley Springer Discovery Order Entered ---- 6/5/2025 : Rodney Justin Cummings;Jennifer Haley Springer

07/01/2025
Notification of Compliance
State's Notice of Discovery Compliance
Party:
State of Indiana
File Stamp:
06/30/2025

07/01/2025
Motion for Discovery Protective Order Filed
Motion for Discovery Protective Order (Daughtery).pdf
Filed By:
State of Indiana
File Stamp:
06/30/2025

07/01/2025
Order Granting
Order granting State's Motion for Discovery Protective Order issued. (md)
Order Signed:
07/01/2025

07/02/2025
Dispositional Hearing
Session:
07/02/2025 8:30 AM, Judicial Officer: Hopper, Andrew
Comment:
or Trial Setting
Result:
Reset

07/02/2025
Automated Paper Notice Issued to Parties
Order Granting ---- 7/1/2025 : Jaime Lynn Nelson

07/02/2025
Automated ENotice Issued to Parties
Order Granting ---- 7/1/2025 : John Charles Reeder;Rodney Justin Cummings;Jennifer Haley Springer

07/02/2025
Notification of Compliance
State's Notice of Discovery Compliance
Party:
State of Indiana
File Stamp:
07/02/2025

07/02/2025
Hearing Journal Entry
This matter comes before the Court scheduled for disposition/trial setting. State appears by Deputy Prosecutor, Jaime Nelson. Defendant appears in person and in the custody of the Madison County Sheriff and by counsel, John Reeder. Defense requests this matter to be continued as discovery is ongoing. State does not object. Comes now the Court and GRANTS said request. Delay due to this continuance is excluded from C.R. 4 due to Defendant's action. This matter is rescheduled for 9/3/2025 at 8:30 a.m. Defendant is ordered to appear. Defendant remanded back into the custody of the sheriff. (tj)
Judicial Officer:
Hopper, Andrew
Present:
Daughtery, John H. JR
Present:
Nelson, Jaime Lynn
Present:
Reeder, John Charles
Hearing Date:
07/02/2025

07/08/2025
Hearing Scheduling Activity
Dispositional Hearing scheduled for 09/03/2025 at 8:30 AM.

07/09/2025
Automated Paper Notice Issued to Parties
Hearing Scheduling Activity ---- 7/8/2025 : Jaime Lynn Nelson

07/09/2025
Automated ENotice Issued to Parties
Hearing Scheduling Activity ---- 7/8/2025 : John Charles Reeder;Rodney Justin Cummings;Jennifer Haley Springer

09/03/2025
Dispositional Hearing
Session:
09/03/2025 8:30 AM, Judicial Officer: Hopper, Andrew
Comment:
or trial setting

Thanks a bunch! Much appreciated! :)
 
  • #18
  • #19
@Niner , @INfisherman
Next hearing is

September 3, 2025


Dispositional Hearing
Session:
09/03/2025 8:30 AM, Judicial Officer: Hopper, Andrew
Comment:
or trial setting​
 
  • #20
ANGELA GANOTE (Fox59 Reporter) --

May 30, 2025

"If you have followed me very long you know that I don’t post a suspect and victim photo next to one another.

Having said that, I wanted to honor Leslie Houston. Anderson police say she was murdered last October and an arrest was just made in her case yesterday.

Below are pictures of her and her only child Megan through the years and now as an adult holding her mother’s hand in the hospital bed.

Leslie’s husband is now charged with her murder. It is believed he strangled her."​

View Post


Screenshot 2025-08-24 at 10.54.32 PM.webp
502706955_1257139865773047_7524369780177667146_n.webp

**Permission given by @Tricia to post
 

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