Two years ago in February, northeastern Indiana woke up to the shocking news that one of its most highly respected criminal defense attorneys had been killed at her home in Grabill. When the probable cause affidavit surfaced, there was even more shock that Marcia Linsky’s boyfriend of a year, Charles Calvert, was accused and charged with stabbing her in the neck several times, nearly severing her right thumb, and cutting up her lip.

But Tuesday, the first day of a murder trial for Jonathon Mattix, Dawn Kovach's sometimes estranged family came for one of their own.   “She was missing her eyes and her left cheek was sunken in,” wrote Allen County Deputy Coroner Investigator Jeffrey McCracken in a probable cause affidavit submitted two days after she was found. As a medicolegal death investigator, he also identified three holes in her lower neck area.

This week, Williams faced a jury for the second murder he’s accused of committing, that of Vanessa Brabson, 34 at the time of her death. He was found guilty of murder and drug dealing after the jury spent about seven hours deliberating the case. 

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.