Public defender approved for man charged with murder of state trooper

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A judge has approved a public defender for Terry Sands ll in a court hearing Tuesday.

Sands was charged with the murder of Indiana State Police Master Trooper James Bailey.

Sands was involved in a vehicle pursuit with Fort Wayne police on March 3. Bailey’s location on I-69 was near the pursuit and he attempted to de-escalate the pursuit by deploying stop sticks. Bailey was struck by Sand’s vehicle.

Bailey was taken to a Fort Wayne hospital in critical condition, where he later died.

RELATED: ISP trooper hit, killed during vehicle pursuit on I-69

RELATED: Suspect charged with murder of Indiana state trooper

Sands faces charges of murder, resisting law enforcement, and causing death with a vehicle while driving under the influence.

The next court hearing for Sands is set for April 18.