A 25-year-old Louisville man pleaded guilty on Thursday to killing a Pekin man at a New Albany apartment complex in 2006.
Thomas R. Gunter Jr. shot 21-year-old Jeremy W. Gibson once in the chest on Dec. 8 outside Carriage House Apartments, across from Indiana University Southeast. Gibson was taken to University Hospital in Louisville where he was pronounced dead.
At a hearing in Floyd County Superior Court No. 1 on Thursday, Gunter pleaded guilty to class A felony voluntary manslaughter. According to the terms of the plea agreement, Gunter would be sentenced to 20 years at the Indiana Department of Correction.
Gunter had been charged with murder and could have faced 45 to 65 years in prison or life without parole if convicted. The case had been set to go to trial later this month.
Floyd County Prosecutor Keith Henderson said in a press conference following the shooting that evidence and witness statements indicated the incident occurred during an attempted drug transaction.
According to court records, Gunter picked up Gibson’s gun and shot him with it. During a reading of the facts in the case, Gunter admitted that he was not acting in self defense after he took possession of the gun.
A voluntary manslaughter charge means that Gunter was “acting under sudden heat.”
As part of the plea agreement, the prosecutor states no charges will be filed against Gunter’s family members in the case. George Streib, Gunter’s attorney, said that was added as part of the plea agreement only for Gunter’s comfort and not because his family members would have faced charges.
When asked at the hearing if he had ever suffered a mental illness, Gunter said that he was diagnosed in 2005 with paranoid schizophrenia but never took his medication.
Orth asked if Gibson’s family had been notified that a plea agreement had been reached. Floyd County Deputy Prosecutor Tim Gray said he would review the case file to check.
“We want to make certain the (victim’s) family has been contacted before sentencing,” Orth said.
No members of the victim’s family were at the courthouse on Thursday. Three of Gunter’s family members were present. After the hearing, they said they had no comment about the case.
Gunter has been incarcerated in the Floyd County Jail since his arrest shortly after the shooting.
Both parties also declined to comment on the case until after Orth decides whether to accept the plea agreement. That decision will be announced at a sentencing hearing on Dec. 10.
Clark County
Man pleads guilty in New Albany shooting
Agreement calls for 20-year sentence in Jeffersonville man’s death
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Appeals court hears Covered Bridge case
The Indiana Court of Appeals heard the respective oral arguments on the town of Sellersburg’s effort to annex the Covered Bridge Subdivision and the Willows on Wednesday. Covered Bridge appealed the trial court’s ruling that the town’s annexation preceded the subdivision’s effort to incorporate into an independent town and that, in exchange for sewer service, the residents would agree to not remonstrate against the annexation attempt.
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Redistricting on tap again for Jeffersonville
Though they just did so last year, it’s already time for the Jeffersonville City Council to start thinking about redistricting again.
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JEFF Fest set for June 9
The Jeffersonville Entire Family Fun Festival, better known as JEFF Fest, will
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be held from 11 a.m.. to 4 p.m. June 9 in Jeffersonville’s Preservation Park, 150 W. Market St. -
Charlestown encourages Realtors and developers to help it grow
he city hosted a showcase for about 200 developers and Realtors at Charlestown High School on Tuesday. The purpose of the showcase was to pitch the city as a place that is expected to prosper, especially in light of the continued development at River Ridge Commerce Center.
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Jeffersonville mayor vetoes two council acts
“It’s a meaningless resolution. It carries no weight. I think it’s political posturing and I’d as soon not be a part of it,” Moore said. “I will not be brought into a political discussion that’s already been decided.”
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Bridges project specifics emerging
Valentine outlined that incentives will be part of Kentucky’s contract with the winning bidder.
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He explained that once construction begins, the expected cost of construction per day will total about $80,000 and the contractor can earn incentives for finishing early and penalties for finishing late. A completion date is set for June 30, 2018. - News and Tribune briefs for May 23, 2012
- May 22, 2012
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Gregg picks Simpson for Dems ticket
Gregg got his biggest applause from the crowd Tuesday when he played up their joint support for women’s access to health care, which has become a national talking point for Democrats.
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TARC OKs rate increases
Contrary to its monetary situation, the amount of people riding the public transit system has increased about 10 percent, Barker said.
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But the transportation service had not raised its fares, aside from express routes, in four years. -
Miss Clark County 2012 entrants sought
The contest is based on interview, evening gown and professional wear competition. Any Clark County young woman between the ages of 16 to 21 is eligible to participate.
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Appeals court hears Covered Bridge case
