Armstrong family upset over plea deal

KOKOMO, Ind. (WLFI) - It's been more than a year since Kelly Armstrong was reported missing in Kokomo in September 2011. Even though her body has never been found, her boyfriend Travis Funke was arrested for her murder in January 2012.

The Armstrong family said the prosecution is offering Funke a plea deal. It's a deal they said initially blindsided them.

"This was a whammy to the family," Armstrong's cousin, Charity Grable, said. "They didn't get any notification."

"The prosecution has never sat down with us to discuss any parts of the plea agreement," Armstrong's father, David Armstrong said. "[They have never told us] why the plea agreement should be filed, or never given us a copy to view."

David and Grable said they only know a few details of the plea deal.

They said Funke can plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter and get a 50 year sentence. He will serve 35 years in prison with 15 suspended. In return, Funke must say where Armstrong's body is located.

"If Travis [Funke] was cooperating with the police and being honest I would have buried my daughter a long time ago," David Armstrong said.

According to Howard County court documents Funke confessed to killing Armstrong with a hammer and disposing of her body in a trash tote. Police searched the landfill, but did not find a body.

The Armstrong family said if Funke's information led to Armstrong's body they would feel differently about the plea deal.

"If she is in a landfill like he stated, then yes [he should get a plea deal]," Grable said. "If she is not in the landfill then absolutely not. He lied. He lied under oath."

"I'm open to other avenues," David Armstrong said. "As of right now if I don't have Kelly [Armstrong] by [Tuesday] then no [I will not be happy with the plea deal]."

Funke's plea deal hearing is Tuesday morning. The Armstrongs say they'll be there like they have been since the beginning of the case.

Calls to the Howard County Prosecutor Mark McCann were not answered.