INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A Marion County judge will allow the man accused of murdering Indianapolis police Officer Breann Leath to pursue an insanity defense.
Leath’s family came together to pray Friday before walking into the courtroom where cameras were allowed for the first time. Leath’s accused killer, Elliahs Dorsey, sat before Judge Mark Stoner in a dress shirt and tie.
One of the biggest decisions made in court was whether Dorsey would be allowed to pursue an insanity defense. Before ruling to allow it, Stoner made sure Dorsey understood what that meant and if he had spoken with his attorney’s about the decision.
“Do you agree with their decision as a matter of strategy for your defense in presenting insanity as a defense,” Stoner said.
Dorsey said, “Yes, judge.”
Leath’s mother, Jennifer Dorsey, commented on Dorsey’s attempt to claim insanity: “I think it’s a joke.”
The Judge will now bring in two independent psychologists to evaluate Dorsey to determine if he can use the insanity defense at trial.
The trial itself is now delayed until February. That was another point of frustration for the Leath family Friday.
“It’s just frustrating because we want justice for my daughter. I mean, it’s not fair. It’s not fair for her. It’s not fair for anybody. Her son lost his mom,” Leath said.
Right now, the family is continuing to lean on their faith. “Without that I don’t know where we would be. Cause Jesus is really keeping us afloat at this moment,” Leath said.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Just days from race day for the Indianapolis 500, Thursday’s fourth episode of “100 Days to Indy” will feature the season’s first three events and the first three winners of the IndyCar season.
The hourlong Episode 4 premieres at 9 p.m. Thursday on WISH-TV.
Thursday night’s episode, titled “Stay on Track,” features two preeminent teams, Penske and Chip Ganassi Racing.
Penske driver Will Power will be featured during the race at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama as he works toward another Indy 500 win in the race on May 28.
Another IndyCar driver to be featured in Episode 4 is Agustín Canapino, an Argentine who is a rookie at the Indy 500 this year.
Stream earlier episodes of “100 Days to Indy” free on The CW website. Episode 4 will be available on the website on Friday.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — As we inch closer and closer to race day for the Indianapolis 500, Thursday’s third episode of “100 Days to Indy” can give viewers an early racing fix.
Episode 3 premieres at 9 p.m. Thursday on WISH-TV.
Thursday night’s episode, titled “California Dreamin,” visits IndyCar’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Stream earlier episodes of “100 Days to Indy” free on The CW website. Episode 3 will be available on the website on Friday.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Senate Bill 342, a new law that just wrapped up in the statehouse session, will require schools to use a more comprehensive search of potential teacher hires’ backgrounds and criminal histories.
Indiana State Sen. Aaron Freeman, the sponsor of the bill, joins News 8 to discuss the bill, when it will go into effect, and to explain the bill’s importance in protecting students.
Enjoy the full interview above to learn more.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — As we inch closer and closer to race day, Thursday’s new episode of 100 Days to Indy can give you an early racing fix.
Episode 2 premieres Thursday at 9 p.m. on WISH-TV.
“Knocking at the Door” chronicles Chip Ganassi Racing securing a win, with Marcus Ericsson taking the top spot at St. Petersburg; and Andretti Autosport aiming to return to form.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers Steven Sanchez and Adam Ahmad walked into a Marion Superior court in suits Friday.
It was their first appearance after being indicted for the death of Herman Whitfield III, who died April 25 while in police custody.
Each officer pleaded not guilty.
The judge set the bonds for each man at $15,000.
Sanchez and Ahmad are each facing multiple charges, including reckless homicide and involuntary manslaughter, for their rolls in the death of Whitfield.
The Whitfield family called police last April because their son was having a mental health episode
Police tasered him and handcuffed him with his face on the ground. When paramedics arrived, Whitfield was unresponsive.
John Kautzman, the defense attorney for both officers, said, “They believe that they were following their training and acted with no illegality, or criminal intent.”
Because of this case, the Fraternal Order of Police wants IMPD to change its policy for who responds first to mental health calls. They said in a statement that paramedics and firefighters should be the first point of contact unless a crime is being committed.
I-Team 8 asked Kautzman if the officers had a message for the Whitfield family. He said, “Their heart has always gone out to the Whitfield family. They’re in the business of protecting the community and they put their lives on the line for citizens every day. They understand when a tragedy occurs. The question here isn’t whether or not this was a tragedy. It’s a question of whether or not they are legally responsible for that death.”
With the first step in the case out of the way, both sides will be preparing for a trial.
Kautzman said, “I want the community to reserve judgment until both sides have had a chance to present all the evidence at trial on whether or not this is a tragedy, or a criminal problem. We don’t think these officers are criminals,” said .
The trial was set for July 11, although judges commonly reset the initially scheduled dates for various reasons.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying the organizers or promoters of an advertised event.
The IMPD’s Nuisance and Abatement division has been working to shut down parties at short term rental properties like AirBND and VRBO.
Police ask that anyone with information regarding this flyer contact IMPD Nuisance and Abatement by email at IMPD_NusianceAbatement@indy.gov.
Or call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317.262.8477 or (TIPS) to remain anonymous.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — It’s been two months since Shane Steichen was introduced as the Indianapolis Colts head.
He’s spent that time finalizing his coaching staff and building his foundation within the locker room.
“It’s all about now,” Steichen said. “It’s all it is. It’s all about this year. Whatever happened in the past happened in the past, and we’re focused on the present right now.”
The Colts on Wednesday were in their first week of offseason workouts, their first week of workouts under Steichen.
“I thought the first team meeting was great,” said Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. “Just the energy that Shane (Steichen) came with – giving some background on himself and really establishing some team rules and obviously the culture and everything that he wants to build around here. It’s exciting. It’s a great fresh start.”
During that first meeting on Monday, Steichen emphasized the importance of creating connections with each other.
“Yeah, we’ve been doing a couple of those things over the past two months that I’ve been here just kind of outside the building creating those connections, whether it’s dinner, going to a basketball game – we went to the Pacers game as a staff, which was awesome to see those guys play,” Steichen said. “All those little things outside the building to create those relationships.”
Of course, the players aren’t the only ones adjusting at the moment. Steichen is as well, since this is his first head coaching job in the NFL.
“There’s more administrative stuff that comes across your desk,” said Steichen. “It’s been good to get the guys back in the building. We’ve just had some meetings, install and get back into the football side of it, which has been really good. But yeah, just getting used to the administrative stuff and all the stuff that will come across your desk. That’s new for me.”
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Underage drinking, drugs, and violence are all linked to house parties at short term rental properties in Indianapolis.
I-team 8 exposed the troubling trend last month. Now, IMPD needs your help to put a stop to them.
“In the last month, we’ve seen a 90 percent increase compared to last year this time for incidents at house parties,” said IMPD Cpt. Christopher Boomershine.
“That were directly linked to short term rentals,” asked I-Team 8 reporter Kody Fisher.
“Correct,” said Boomershine.
IMPD says they’re seeing parties of up to 100 people. They don’t know exactly how many are happening, because they only get called to ones where violence happens.
That violence often includes gunfire.
Like in March when a teenage girl was shot in the face after leaving a party hosted at a short term rental.
House parties with underage drinking is not a new phenomenon, but IMPD said what it’s seeing is.
“How’s it different than a typical high school party,” asked Fisher.
“Its different because what you’ve described is ‘hey, I’m going to invite some of my friends over to hangout and get into the parents liquor cabinet.’ It’s different because this is being advertised on social media. It’s open to the public. In some instances they’re charging admission. This is a business to them. So, when you open the door to everyone in the city you’re going to get some bad actors,” said Boomershine.
IMPD shared two fliers with I-Team 8. Both are being circulated on social media for parties happening this weekend.
One advertises that alcohol will be provided. The other advertises that a drug dealer will be available for people to buy drugs.
Jed Fuller lives on Union Street on the south side of Indianapolis. He told I-team 8 several homes on the street are being used for short term rentals and that parties have been a pretty consistent problem.
“Our awareness rises and we just pay more attention. I’m thankful we haven’t had the shootings. I’ve been threatened. Somebody asked me to get out of the car because I asked them to move their car off our personal property and I was like, ‘no, I’m not getting out of the car’ and I asked my wife to call 911. It de-escalated. Thankfully, there were other people apart of the party that helped de-escalate and pulled their friend back,” said Fuller.
IMPD says they need help to prevent people from being put in situations like that in areas where they live.
Police said people renting out their homes short term should not rent to people who are looking for one night rentals even though they live in Indianapolis.
Police also suggest checking in on the rental during the night to make sure huge parties are not going on.
IMPD said they also need help from the public. If you see a flier circulating on social media, like the ones shared in this story, call police so they can prevent violence from happening.
“We’re not here to be the party police. We’re here to prevent it from turning into a situation where there’s gun violence,” said Boomershine.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Due to breaking news coverage of the Donald Trump indictment on Tuesday night, Superman and Lois was interrupted and will re-air Thursday, April 6, at 9 p.m.
The show will air in its entirety.