Clark County (The Evening News)
Melcher facing death penalty
Jeff man allegedly killed cellmate while serving time for murders
A Jeffersonville man who pleaded guilty to the 2005 murders of his pregnant wife, infant son and unborn child now faces the death penalty for murdering a cellmate.
Sullivan County Prosecutor Robert Springer in recent months filed a request for a death sentence against 30-year-old Zachariah Melcher. Springer said Monday he still intends to seek the death penalty.
According to the Indiana State Police, Melcher strangled to death Nicholas Roman, 28, in the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility in Carslile in March. The prison is located in west central Indiana, near the Illinois border.
In August 2006, Melcher pleaded guilty to three counts of murder and was sentenced to life in prison. Melcher had faced the death penalty in that case before the plea agreement was reached.
He admitted to murdering his wife and child and stuffing them in a plastic storage container.
According to court records of a hearing in June, Melcher said he did not want a state-appointed attorney to represent him in his newest case and said he would represent himself.
After advising him of the potential problems of representing himself, the court found Melcher to be “indigent” and appointed Joseph Etling and John Kesler II to represent him.
Melcher also asked to be put to death. An omnibus hearing is scheduled for Sept. 5. The trial is scheduled to begin Feb. 3.
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Borden principal to return to school
In a short school board meeting Thursday afternoon, the West Clark Community Schools board approved an addendum to an employment contract that would allow Borden High School Principal Lisa Nale back on the job as early as Oct. 7.
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Jeffersonville residents challenge IDEM on Mac plant
Questions and concerns gushed Thursday night from an audience upset with the living conditions in their neighborhood brought on by odor, soot and dust they attribute to the nearby Mac Construction and Excavating asphalt plant.
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Bridges Authority adopts strategy as deadline approaches
The Louisville and Southern Indiana Bridges Authority adopted strategic objectives at its public meeting in Jeffersonville on Thursday while rejecting calls to alter the Ohio River Bridges Project to avoid possible tolling.
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Ex-employee of Sportsdrome charged in beer-theft scheme at track
A Memphis woman has been charged with class D felony theft in an alleged scam to defraud Sportsdrome Speedway in Clarksville out of more than $20,000 in beer sales.
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$47.5 million in marijuana plants eradicated by ISP
Within about a week, Indiana State Police eradicated approximately 19,000 marijuana plants with an estimated street value of $47.5 million across the state.
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Setting out for a stroll
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Moving on: Students, teachers get used to new schools at NA-FC
“You have to get to know people. You have to learn all these new names. It’s kind of scary at first. You don’t know them and they don’t know you.”
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Burglary suspect leads police on chase
Crotchett said he knows the owner of the house, so he called him to ask if anyone should be there.
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Straight ‘A’ educator: St. Anthony teacher makes top 10 list
She also wrote about how teaching is more than a career. It’s a vocation.
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Facelift planned for part of Market Street in Jeffersonville
Crouch said the entire road is being redone from sidewalk to sidewalk and local traffic can use rear-alley to access their homes.
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Borden principal to return to school
