Court docs detail state rep. beating

CARMEL, Ind. (WISH) - While Ed DeLaney wouldn't go into the details of how he met his alleged attacker, Augustus Mendenhall, Saturday morning, he did tell say that the court documents are accurate.

Investigators compiled the documents after interviews with DeLaney and Mendenhall. Several pages outline what appears to be an elaborate plan by Mendenhall to lure DeLaney into a revenge plot.

• Read the probable cause affidavit detailing the beating and revenge plot

DeLaney told police that he first heard from Mendenhall last Wednesday, October 28. At that point, Mendenhall used the alias Victor White and asked about the purchase of some local properties.

According to the court documents, Mendenhall told DeLaney he represented some wealthy Russian businessmen. Mendenhall expanded on his story during an interview with Monday.

"He expressed to me that he had quite a bit of experience with real estate that he spoke Russian fluently learned it in the Navy, from what I understand. His only concern that I was not a part of the government and that he got his $10,000 retainer," claimed Mendenhall.

After some phone calls and emails, they made arrangements to meet Saturday morning, October 31, at an Episcopal Church not far from the property on Catherine Drive in Carmel.

-- Hear from Mendenhall and DeLaney by clicking on the video links in the left margin of the story

DeLaney told police when he pulled into the church parking lot, he saw a man wearing a wig, gloves and an unusual coat and carrying a small bag.

DeLaney said it was Mendenhall disguised as Victor White. Mendenhall then asked DeLaney for a ride to the property that was less than a tenth of a mile away.

According to the court documents, when the two arrived at the property, Augustus then reached into his bag pulled a gun and asked DeLaney if he was "right with God."

"I expressed to him that he had done great harm to my family. The point to me was that he did not do it again," said Mendenhall.

DeLaney told investigators Mendenhall placed the gun against DeLaney's head and tried to pull the trigger but that there appeared to be something wrong with the weapon.

According to the documents, DeLaney and Mendenhall then struggled over the gun. Mendenhall then beat DeLaney and when an officer arrived, he caught the tail end of the attack.

Mendenhall is in the Hamilton County Jail on a $3 million bond facing several felonies including attempted murder.