A deadly game of ding dong doorbell occurred that Christmas night around 6 p.m. when, it is alleged, Shawn Williams, 48, the defendant in this week’s murder trial in Allen Superior Court, and his partner, Chad Kinney, 47, lured Rhinehart to his front door.

The county issued a warrant this week for Nalashia Palmer,  claiming  she lied on April 11 during a deposition with the Allen County Prosecutor’s office, according to a probable cause affidavit written by Allen County Detective, J. Bleeke. Palmer was asked “if she placed any money on the jail account of Brian Easterly since he was arrested in these cases,” and Palmer said “No.” However, jail call records indicate that Palmer spoke to Easterly 2,505 times between September

Saturday, just after midnight, Officer C. Stuttle pulled over Jalen M. Downs, 23, of Fort Wayne at South Clinton and Wiebke streets, right there at South Side High School, as he sat “running stationary radar” in an unmarked police vehicle. Downs was doing 80 miles an hour in a 35 mph zone, according to the probable cause affidavit Stuttle submitted. Stuttle pointed out Downs’ speed was 45 miles over the speed limit.

They stood in a row like obedient schoolboys, shoulder to shoulder, softly and deferentially repeating phrases like “yes, ma’am,” and “yes, your Honor.” The men known as the Pike’s Pub Six were in court Friday in front of Allen Superior Court Judge Fran Gull to find out whether or not they would face a jury together in what is known as a joinder trial for the beating of James Simmons on May 30 at Pike’s Pub in Waynedale.

Jason Bridges , 45, facing umpteen charges for dealing drugs of just about any kind drug you can think of- fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and psilocybin mushrooms  - Wednesday was placed in “deadlock” at the Allen County Jail, according to online court documents.

Early Sunday morning, it was a case of “greased lightning” out on I-69.  At no time of the day or night is it OK to endanger the public by racing your vehicle, but there they were. Two of the racers are now facing criminal misdemeanors for participating in a multi-car speed competition.

The victim said he was able to crawl out of the apartment and call 9-1-1. When police arrived, the four accused of the beating and robbery were inside the apartment, apparently unaware their victim had escaped.

Imagine what the neighbors think when a gun-wielding trio shows up yelling and kicking in the door just after 7 p.m. on an August night. Someone called police, a good thing, for sure, and the female victim’s home surveillance captured images of the three violent people who robbed her of $600 while her young children and boyfriend watched, court documents said.

It was just before noon. The two retirees, partners now for half a century, were taking care of emails and enjoying the beautiful day when the startling knock came at the door. “We’re here to take your marijuana plant,” the lead trooper told Burden who answered the door. Burden looked outside and took in three unmarked Indiana State Police vehicles - a black F-150 and two silver Dodge Chargers - as he tried to collect himself.

After a four day trial, an Allen County Jail convicted Sanders of murder - acting in concert, attempted murder for the wounding of the younger brother of the deceased BMG gang member, battery, and a Level 5 felony criminal gang activity. The homicide took place Sept. 12, 2023 at 1:50 a.m.

You have “two tough dogs squaring up and eventually they’re going to fight. They’re trying to be the biggest badass dog in town,” Deshaies said on the stand. In court testimony, Deshaies identified Sanders, now 20, as a member of the BSG, aka Big Swen Gang, named after a deceased member. 

During the ensuing melée on Dec. 9, 2023, Gray, now 24, shot and killed Keelin Woods, 26. He stood trial this week in Allen Superior Court for murder, attempted murder and using a firearm in the commission of a crime. The jury, after about three hours of deliberation, found him not guilty. They agreed he acted in self defense. 

It took three seconds to mortally stab the victim. And a short time later to arrest Draylon Marquise Crutch

No, according to a probable cause affidavit written by long-time Fort Wayne detective R.J. Sutphin, Perry Mitchell Miles refused to leave the home after he was viewed in the act of molesting two little girls.

Royal Davis, Jr. took the stand on the last day of his trial and told his story, even though it would have been difficult to overcome a felony murder charge when you flat out admit you were there when the homicide occurred.  Friday, after the full four-day trial, Davis was found guilty of those charges and the gun enhancement that can add up to 20 years to a sentence. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 8.

The freedom bell rang for a 17-year-old charged with murder the day before fireworks took over the city of Fort Wayne. A murder charge against Josiyah T. Derrick was dismissed July 3. He'd been charged with murder a few days after the June 23 homicide of Eriyn White, 20, of Fort Wayne

The turnaround on ballistics in Fort Wayne has reached a remarkable stage, worthy of a CSI episode on a major network. Shell casings 50 feet from Monday night’s teen homicide victim, Eriyn White, 20,  were traced to the gun of the accused shooter, Josiyah Derrick not even two days later. 

Of course, they knew their victim was 14.  And from all accounts in probable cause affidavits submitted for the two men, they were practiced in this type of predatory sexual activity. 

So why did Dylan Kieres, 33, turn up at police headquarters on May 21 to turn himself in as one of two men who sexually molested and filmed their encounters with a 14-year-old boy? The net was closing in, according to a source close to the criminal investigation. 

The 3-year relationship between Jeffery Harris and Kanikia Coleman had barely ended, however, when Harris turned up at her home one night in January 2022 and apparently went haywire.