Tuesday, May 31, 2011

05312011 - News Article - Pleasant Township couple dead in apparent murder-suicide



Pleasant Township couple dead in apparent murder-suicide
NWI Times
Jeff Burton
May 31, 2011 - 4:45 pm
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/kouts/pleasant-township-couple-dead-in-apparent-murder-suicide/article_b7cc0f0e-c74a-595f-857b-47663c9c9830.html

J.J. Miller, the 19-year-old son of Frederick and Cheryl Miller walks around his family's smoldering home Tuesday. Police said his estranged father threw a Molotov cocktail through the window, shot his wife and then turned the gun on himself. J.J. escaped before the shooting began. Jon L. Hendricks. The Times





The charred remains of a home smolder after an apparent murder-suicide early Tuesday in Pleasant Township, near Kouts. Police believe Frederick Miller threw a Molotov cocktail through a window of the home and then shot his estranged wife, Cheryl Miller, before killing himself. The couple's 19-year-old son, J.J. Miller, was asleep at the time but escaped unharmed. Jon L. Hendricks. The Times




The Porter County bomb squad truck leaves the scene of an apparent early morning murder-suicide near Kouts on Tuesday. Jon L. Hendricks. The Times





A charred car and still smoking ashes are all that remain Tuesday morning at the site of an apparent murder-suicide near a home along the Kankakee River. Jon L. Hendricks. The Times





J.J. Miller, right hugs friend Kris Hendrickson after his parents were killed Tuesday in an apparent murder-suicide near Kouts. Jon L. Hendricks.The Times



PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - An estranged husband and wife were found dead Tuesday morning in an apparent murder-suicide, officials said.

Frederick Miller, 59, and Cheryl Miller, 52, suffered apparent gunshot wounds, Porter County Coroner Chuck Harris said.

According to Porter County sheriff's police, officers were called around 3 a.m. Tuesday to a home in the 1200 block of South County Road 200 East, just north of the Kankakee River, for a reported domestic disturbance.

Police believe Frederick Miller threw a makeshift Molotov cocktail through a window in the home where his estranged wife and 19-year-old son were inside. Police said the man was served with a protective order in April and previously removed from the home by police.

Police said the couple's son, J.J. Miller, was able to escape the home and call police. He reportedly told officers he heard several gunshots from near the residence.

Police said when they arrived, they found the home fully engulfed in flames. Officers reported Cheryl Miller was found dead in the driveway and Frederick Miller was also found dead on the property from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Tuesday morning, only smoldering embers and a charred car remained at the site of the home adjacent to the Kankakee River.

Porter County detectives are heading the investigation, along with the Porter County coroner's office.

Harris said a forensic autopsy is scheduled for today in Mishawaka.

05312011 - News Article - Kouts murder-suicide



Kouts murder-suicide
NWI Times

May 31, 2011 - 12:52 pm 
 The charred remains of a home smolder after an apparent murder-suicide early Tuesday in Pleasant Township, near Kouts. Police believe Frederick Miller threw a Molotov cocktail through a window of the home and then shot his estranged wife, Cheryl Miller, before killing himself. The couple's 19-year-old son, J.J. Miller, was asleep at the time but escaped unharmed.







J.J. Miller, the 19-year-old son of Frederick and Cheryl Miller walks around his family's smoldering home Tuesday. Police said his estranged father threw a Molotov cocktail through the window, shot his wife and then turned the gun on himself. J.J. escaped before the shooting began.






05312011 - News Article - Police release names in apparent murder/suicide



Police release names in apparent murder/suicide
Chesterton Tribune
Posted 5/31/2011
http://chestertontribune.com/PoliceFireEmergency/61112%20pcsp_releases_names_in_apparent.htm


The Porter County Sheriff’s Police has released the names of the Pleasant Township couple found dead at their home near Kouts early Tuesday morning, in an apparent murder/suicide.

The victim, Cheryl Miller, 52, was found to have multiple gunshot wounds to her back, Coroner Chuck Harris told the Chesterton Tribune today; her estranged husband, Frederick Miller, 59, a single gunshot wound to the head.

An autopsy was scheduled for this morning in Mishawaka. Harris was unable to say what sort of gun was used in the incident.

According to police, sometime prior to 3 a.m. Frederick Miller—who in April had been served with a protective order and removed from the residence at 1269S 200E—went to his wife’s home and threw a "flammable device" through a window. Both Cheryl Miller and her 19-year-old son were in the house at the time, police said, and the son, after hearing gunshots from near the residence, was able to flee and call 911.

On their arrival, officers found the home fully engulfed and Cheryl Miller deceased in the driveway and Frederick Miller deceased elsewhere on the property, police said.

"This case is being investigated as a possible murder/suicide and there is no evidence that suggests anyone else being involved in the incident," police said.

05312011 - News Article - Porter County Corner Says a 52-year-old Woman and Her Estranged Husband were Found Shot to Death and Her House Burned



Porter County Corner Says a 52-year-old Woman and Her Estranged Husband were Found Shot to Death and Her House Burned
The Republic
May 31, 2011
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/f5bcdf64744245a39ca9a75ef5593f8b/IN--Kouts-Shooting/


KOUTS, Ind. — The Porter County coroner says a 52-year-old woman and her estranged husband were found shot to death and her house was fully engulfed in flames in what appears to be a murder-suicide.

Coroner Chuck Harris says a preliminary examination indicates that Cheryl Miller and 59-year-old Frederick Miller both died of gunshot wounds. He says an autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.

The Times of Munster and the Post-Tribune of Merrillville report that the couple's 19-year-old son escaped from the home in rural Kouts about 3 a.m. Tuesday after Frederick Miller threw a flammable device through a window in the house. The sheriff's department says the son called police and reported hearing several gunshots.

The sheriff's department says Frederick Miller was removed from the home by police in April.

05312011 - News Article - Porter County coroner: Deaths look to be murder-suicide



Porter County coroner: Deaths look to be murder-suicide
WSBT News
May 31, 2011
http://articles.wsbt.com/2011-05-31/murder-suicide_29606628


KOUTS, Ind. (AP) — The Porter County coroner says a 52-year-old woman and her estranged husband were found shot to death and her house was fully engulfed in flames in what appears to be a murder-suicide.

Coroner Chuck Harris says a preliminary examination indicates that Cheryl Miller and 59-year-old Frederick Miller both died of gunshot wounds. He says an autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.

The Times of Munster and the Post-Tribune of Merrillville report that the couple's 19-year-old son escaped from the home in rural Kouts about 3 a.m. Tuesday after Frederick Miller threw a flammable device through a window in the house. The sheriff's department says the son called police and reported hearing several gunshots.

The sheriff's department says Frederick Miller was removed from the home by police in April.

05312011 - News Article - 2 dead in Kouts firebombing, suicide



2 dead in Kouts firebombing, suicide 
Post Tribune

May 31, 2011 8:35AM
Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM
http://posttrib.suntimes.com/news/5692139-418/2-dead-in-kouts-firebombing-suicide.html


South County Road 200E, Kouts Indiana. 


 Kouts Indiana






As the burnt house smoldered Tuesday, nine hours after the fire, Porter County Sheriff’s Police were still investigating the apparent firebombing death of a Kouts woman at the hands of her estranged husband.

Police responded to 1269 S. County Road 200E in Pleasant Township in rural Kouts, at approximately 3 a.m. Tuesday for a domestic disturbance that claimed the lives of Frederick Miller, 59, and his wife, Cheryl Miller, 52, Porter County Coroner Chuck Harris said.

Police said the husband came to the residence and threw a flammable device through a window. The man’s estranged wife and the couple’s 19-year-old son, J.J., were home at the time. The son was able to escape and called police after hearing several gunshots from near the residence, police said.

The Millers lived on a dead-end gravel road. The nearest neighbor’s house cannot be seen from their residence.

When police arrived, they saw the residence fully engulfed in flames, and found Cheryl Miller dead in the driveway. Frederick Miller was also found dead on the property from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to a news release.

Family acquaintance Kris Hendrickson, who has known the family for 12 years, said her two sons were friends with J.J. Miller, and her sons were with J.J. late Monday evening.

Hendrickson also knew Cheryl Miller as a customer at the post office where Hendrickson works.
"The mom always came into the post office," Hendrickson said.

Hendrickson said she chatted at length with Cheryl Miller during the woman’s frequent post office trips.
Harris said an autopsy on both will likely take place Wednesday, but it appears both Millers died from gunshot wounds in a murder-suicide.

In April, Frederick Miller was removed from the home by police, a Porter County Sheriff’s Department release noted.

According to the Porter County Clerk’s Office, Cheryl Miller applied for a protective order from her husband. A Porter County judge granted her the order in April and declared the husband be removed from the residence. The couple filed for divorce April 13


Cpl. Larry Laflower, public information officer for Porter County Sheriff’s Department, said protective orders are common when couples who file for divorce have a violent relationship.

Porter County Sheriff’s Department detectives are handling the investigation, along with the Porter County Coroner’s Office.

05312011 - Domestic Violence murder of Cheryl Miller - Kouts Indiana - Porter County divorce case

DV victims murdered during their Porter County divorce cases









In April 2011, Cheryl Miller obtained a personal protective order against her husband. He was removed from the marital home by the police. On April 13th, Cheryl and her husband filed for divorce in Porter County. It was never disclosed if the divorce  case was before Magistrate Forbes....or Magistrate Johnson.











On May 31st, Cheryl's ex-husband came to her residence and fire-bombed it. Both Cheryl and her teenage son escaped the blast....











....However, as Cheryl ran down the driveway to escape the fire, her ex-husband shot and killed her.










Cheryl was the second domestic violence victim who had filed for divorce in Porter County, who was murdered by thier ex-husband within a one-month period of time...









....Domestic violence victim Cynthia Cashner had been murdered by her ex-husband in April 2011...Just weeks after she had filed for divorce before Magistrate Johnson in Porter County.





Porter County near record number of homicides in a year
Post-Tribune (IN)
October 2, 2011
www.newsbank.com
Porter County may have tied its record for the most number of homicides in a year.

If the Wednesday death of Michael Pasternak Jr., shot while mowing a lawn in Hebron, ultimately is ruled a homicide, it will be the county’s sixth homicide of 2011. This would match the record set in 2001.

Two is the annual average over the past 15 years, according to the Porter County coroner’s office.

“That (Pasternak’s death) I assume, is going to be a homicide,” said Coroner Chuck Harris, even though the decision is up to the Marion County coroner since Pasternak died in an Indianapolis hospital. “If that was accidental, I would think that someone would have come forward.”

The shooting initially appeared to be an accident, since residents of the subdivision where he was working frequently hear hunters’ gunshots.

With the exception of the dragging death of Sheri Jania, the coroner’s number of homicides does not include reckless homicide, a charge that tends to be tied to impaired drinking rather than intent.

There does not seem to be a single tie running through the crimes that would explain the drastic increase, although three or four appear to have been domestic disputes.

“You could say the economy if you watch the national news,” said Sgt. Larry Laflower, spokesman for the Porter County Sheriff’s Department. However, not even he believes that as the sole explanation, since the poor economy and the stress it causes weren’t reflected by 2010’s numbers. There were no homicides in Porter County last year.
Memo: Fact Box: 2011 homicide victims

Cynthia Cashner, 50, of Portage. Shot multiple times on April 24 at her business, Mystic Moon Herbal Shoppe in Portage. Her estranged husband, Fredrick Cashner Jr., 54, of Jackson Township, will be tried for murder beginning Oct. 31.

Cheryl Miller, 52, of Pleasant Township. Killed May 31 at her home in a murder-suicide committed by estranged husband Frederick Miller, 59. Both died of gunshot wounds; the house was set on fire.

Sheri Jania, 45, of Portage. On Sept. 3, struck and dragged by a vehicle after a confrontation at the Shift Change Tap in Burns Harbor. James Lohman III, 49, of Portage, is charged with reckless homicide in addition to other charges.

Amanda Bach, 19, of Portage. Last seen Sept. 15, body found Sept. 17 in Union Township, died from a gunshot. Friend and ex-boyfriend Dustin McCowan, 18, of Union Township, is charged with murder.

Donald Crouse, 45, of Porter. Shot Sept. 14 during a domestic dispute at his ex-wife’s home; died Sept. 21 from his injuries. Ex-wife, Beverly Mitchell, 44, is in jail facing charges of aggravated battery, pointing a firearm and other charges; as of Friday, these had not been amended to reflect Crouse’s death.

(Pending determination) Michael Pasternak Jr., 24, of Gary. Shot while mowing a lawn in a Hebron subdivision. Died Sept. 25 at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. No suspects are in custody.










Kouts murder-suicide leaves parents dead, son homeless
Post-Tribune (IN)
June 1, 2011
www.newsbank.com
As the burnt house smoldered Tuesday, nine hours after the fire, Porter County Sheriff’s Police were still investigating the apparent firebombing death of a Kouts woman at the hands of her estranged husband.

Police responded to 1269 S. County Road 200E in Pleasant Township in rural Kouts, at approximately 3 a.m. Tuesday for a domestic disturbance that claimed the lives of Frederick Miller, 59, and his wife, Cheryl Miller, 52, Porter County Coroner Chuck Harris said.

Police said the husband came to the residence and threw a flammable device through a window. The man’s estranged wife and the couple’s 19-year-old son, J.J., were home at the time. The son was able to escape and called police after hearing several gunshots from near the residence, police said.

The Millers lived on a dead-end gravel road. The nearest neighbor’s house cannot be seen from their residence.

When police arrived, they saw the residence fully engulfed in flames, and found Cheryl Miller dead in the driveway. Frederick Miller was also found dead on the property from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to a news release.

Family acquaintance Kris Hendrickson, who has known the family for 12 years, said her two sons were friends with J.J. Miller, and her sons were with J.J. late Monday evening. Hendrickson also knew Cheryl Miller as a customer at the post office where Hendrickson works.

“The mom always came into the post office,” Hendrickson said.

Hendrickson said she chatted at length with Cheryl Miller during the woman’s frequent post office trips.

Harris said an autopsy on both will likely take place Wednesday, but it appears both Millers died from gunshot wounds in a murder-suicide.

In April, Frederick Miller was removed from the home by police, a Porter County Sheriff’s Department release noted.

According to the Porter County Clerk’s Office, Cheryl Miller applied for a protective order from her husband. A Porter County judge granted her the order in April and declared the husband be removed from the residence. The couple filed for divorce April 13.

Cpl. Larry Laflower, public information officer for Porter County Sheriff’s Department, said protective orders are common when couples who file for divorce have a violent relationship.

Porter County Sheriff’s Department detectives are handling the investigation, along with the Porter County Coroner’s Office.
Caption: Deadly scene: Porter County Sheriff’s Police detective Bill Young (left) and Kevin Cusic work the scene of a murder-suicide Tuesday in rural Kouts. Authorites believe Cheryl Miller, 52, was shot to death by her estranged husband Frederick, 59, after he firebombed their Pleasant Township home. Miller then shot himself. The couple’s son was able to escape and call police. | Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media Andy Lavalley










2 dead in Kouts firebombing, suicide
Post Tribune

Colleen Sikorski And Teresa Auch Schultz
May 31, 2011 8:35AM
Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM
http://posttrib.suntimes.com/news/5692139-418/2-dead-in-kouts-firebombing-suicide.html


South County Road 200E, Kouts Indiana. 


 Kouts Indiana






As the burnt house smoldered Tuesday, nine hours after the fire, Porter County Sheriff’s Police were still investigating the apparent firebombing death of a Kouts woman at the hands of her estranged husband.

Police responded to 1269 S. County Road 200E in Pleasant Township in rural Kouts, at approximately 3 a.m. Tuesday for a domestic disturbance that claimed the lives of Frederick Miller, 59, and his wife, Cheryl Miller, 52, Porter County Coroner Chuck Harris said.

Police said the husband came to the residence and threw a flammable device through a window. The man’s estranged wife and the couple’s 19-year-old son, J.J., were home at the time. The son was able to escape and called police after hearing several gunshots from near the residence, police said.

The Millers lived on a dead-end gravel road. The nearest neighbor’s house cannot be seen from their residence.

When police arrived, they saw the residence fully engulfed in flames, and found Cheryl Miller dead in the driveway. Frederick Miller was also found dead on the property from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to a news release.

Family acquaintance Kris Hendrickson, who has known the family for 12 years, said her two sons were friends with J.J. Miller, and her sons were with J.J. late Monday evening.

Hendrickson also knew Cheryl Miller as a customer at the post office where Hendrickson works.
"The mom always came into the post office," Hendrickson said.

Hendrickson said she chatted at length with Cheryl Miller during the woman’s frequent post office trips.
Harris said an autopsy on both will likely take place Wednesday, but it appears both Millers died from gunshot wounds in a murder-suicide.

In April, Frederick Miller was removed from the home by police, a Porter County Sheriff’s Department release noted.

According to the Porter County Clerk’s Office, Cheryl Miller applied for a protective order from her husband. A Porter County judge granted her the order in April and declared the husband be removed from the residence. The couple filed for divorce April 13


Cpl. Larry Laflower, public information officer for Porter County Sheriff’s Department, said protective orders are common when couples who file for divorce have a violent relationship.

Porter County Sheriff’s Department detectives are handling the investigation, along with the Porter County Coroner’s Office.










Kouts murder-suicide
NWI Times
Jon L. Hendricks


May 31, 2011 12:52 pm 
 The charred remains of a home smolder after an apparent murder-suicide early Tuesday in Pleasant Township, near Kouts. Police believe Frederick Miller threw a Molotov cocktail through a window of the home and then shot his estranged wife, Cheryl Miller, before killing himself. The couple's 19-year-old son, J.J. Miller, was asleep at the time but escaped unharmed.





J.J. Miller, the 19-year-old son of Frederick and Cheryl Miller walks around his family's smoldering home Tuesday. Police said his estranged father threw a Molotov cocktail through the window, shot his wife and then turned the gun on himself. J.J. escaped before the shooting began.











Pleasant Township couple dead in apparent murder-suicide
NWI Times
Jeff Burton
May 31, 2011 - 4:45 pm
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/kouts/pleasant-township-couple-dead-in-apparent-murder-suicide/article_b7cc0f0e-c74a-595f-857b-47663c9c9830.html

J.J. Miller, the 19-year-old son of Frederick and Cheryl Miller walks around his family's smoldering home Tuesday. Police said his estranged father threw a Molotov cocktail through the window, shot his wife and then turned the gun on himself. J.J. escaped before the shooting began. Jon L. Hendricks. The Times



The charred remains of a home smolder after an apparent murder-suicide early Tuesday in Pleasant Township, near Kouts. Police believe Frederick Miller threw a Molotov cocktail through a window of the home and then shot his estranged wife, Cheryl Miller, before killing himself. The couple's 19-year-old son, J.J. Miller, was asleep at the time but escaped unharmed. Jon L. Hendricks. The Times




The Porter County bomb squad truck leaves the scene of an apparent early morning murder-suicide near Kouts on Tuesday. Jon L. Hendricks. The Times



A charred car and still smoking ashes are all that remain Tuesday morning at the site of an apparent murder-suicide near a home along the Kankakee River. Jon L. Hendricks. The Times



J.J. Miller, right hugs friend Kris Hendrickson after his parents were killed Tuesday in an apparent murder-suicide near Kouts. Jon L. Hendricks.The Times

PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - An estranged husband and wife were found dead Tuesday morning in an apparent murder-suicide, officials said.

Frederick Miller, 59, and Cheryl Miller, 52, suffered apparent gunshot wounds, Porter County Coroner Chuck Harris said.

According to Porter County sheriff's police, officers were called around 3 a.m. Tuesday to a home in the 1200 block of South County Road 200 East, just north of the Kankakee River, for a reported domestic disturbance.

Police believe Frederick Miller threw a makeshift Molotov cocktail through a window in the home where his estranged wife and 19-year-old son were inside. Police said the man was served with a protective order in April and previously removed from the home by police.

Police said the couple's son, J.J. Miller, was able to escape the home and call police. He reportedly told officers he heard several gunshots from near the residence.

Police said when they arrived, they found the home fully engulfed in flames. Officers reported Cheryl Miller was found dead in the driveway and Frederick Miller was also found dead on the property from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Tuesday morning, only smoldering embers and a charred car remained at the site of the home adjacent to the Kankakee River.

Porter County detectives are heading the investigation, along with the Porter County coroner's office.

Harris said a forensic autopsy is scheduled for today in Mishawaka.










Porter County coroner: Deaths look to be murder-suicide

WSBT News
May 31, 2011
http://articles.wsbt.com/2011-05-31/murder-suicide_29606628
KOUTS, Ind. (AP) — The Porter County coroner says a 52-year-old woman and her estranged husband were found shot to death and her house was fully engulfed in flames in what appears to be a murder-suicide.

Coroner Chuck Harris says a preliminary examination indicates that Cheryl Miller and 59-year-old Frederick Miller both died of gunshot wounds. He says an autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.

The Times of Munster and the Post-Tribune of Merrillville report that the couple's 19-year-old son escaped from the home in rural Kouts about 3 a.m. Tuesday after Frederick Miller threw a flammable device through a window in the house. The sheriff's department says the son called police and reported hearing several gunshots.

The sheriff's department says Frederick Miller was removed from the home by police in April.










Porter County Corner Says a 52-year-old Woman and Her Estranged Husband were Found Shot to Death and Her House Burned

The Republic
May 31, 2011
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/f5bcdf64744245a39ca9a75ef5593f8b/IN--Kouts-Shooting/
KOUTS, Ind. — The Porter County coroner says a 52-year-old woman and her estranged husband were found shot to death and her house was fully engulfed in flames in what appears to be a murder-suicide.

Coroner Chuck Harris says a preliminary examination indicates that Cheryl Miller and 59-year-old Frederick Miller both died of gunshot wounds. He says an autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.

The Times of Munster and the Post-Tribune of Merrillville report that the couple's 19-year-old son escaped from the home in rural Kouts about 3 a.m. Tuesday after Frederick Miller threw a flammable device through a window in the house. The sheriff's department says the son called police and reported hearing several gunshots.

The sheriff's department says Frederick Miller was removed from the home by police in April.











Police release names in apparent murder/suicide

Chesterton Tribune
Posted 5/31/2011
http://chestertontribune.com/PoliceFireEmergency/61112%20pcsp_releases_names_in_apparent.htm

The Porter County Sheriff’s Police has released the names of the Pleasant Township couple found dead at their home near Kouts early Tuesday morning, in an apparent murder/suicide.

The victim, Cheryl Miller, 52, was found to have multiple gunshot wounds to her back, Coroner Chuck Harris told the Chesterton Tribune today; her estranged husband, Frederick Miller, 59, a single gunshot wound to the head.

An autopsy was scheduled for this morning in Mishawaka. Harris was unable to say what sort of gun was used in the incident.

According to police, sometime prior to 3 a.m. Frederick Miller—who in April had been served with a protective order and removed from the residence at 1269S 200E—went to his wife’s home and threw a "flammable device" through a window. Both Cheryl Miller and her 19-year-old son were in the house at the time, police said, and the son, after hearing gunshots from near the residence, was able to flee and call 911.

On their arrival, officers found the home fully engulfed and Cheryl Miller deceased in the driveway and Frederick Miller deceased elsewhere on the property, police said.

"This case is being investigated as a possible murder/suicide and there is no evidence that suggests anyone else being involved in the incident," police said.










Cheryl Miller Obituary
Published in Post-Tribune

June 2, 2011
Cheryl Miller

Miller, Cheryl A. (Stevens) Cheryl A. (Stevens) Miller, 52, of Kouts, passed away Tuesday, May 31, 2011. She was born October 10, 1958 in Valparaiso to Ronald N. and Margaret J. (Hineline) Stevens. She was a graduate of Valparaiso High School and had been the manager at Marti's Place at Ramsey's Landing in Hebron. Cheryl enjoyed designing and making jewelry as well as a variety of other arts and crafts, and she was an avid gardener. Survivors include her son, JJ Miller of Kouts; step daughter, Layla (Jeff) Morgan of San Diego, CA; her father, Ron Stevens of Valparaiso; one sister, Leslie (Bruce) Richart of Porter; two nieces, Rebecca (Anthony) Tharp and Annette Stevens; four nephews, Jeremiah, Joshua and Ryan Richart, and Travis Stevens. She was preceded in death by her mother, Margaret Stevens. A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 11:00 AM at Kosanke Funeral Home in Kouts with Pastor Jay Birky officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the "Benefit of JJ Miller" account at DeMotte State Bank.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

05262011 - Video - Jim Snyder's Vision For Portage - Snyder4Portage




Jim Snyder's Vision For Portage
Snyder4Portage - YouTube
May 26, 2011
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW4Pc2WjpXQ&t=3s
Jim Snyder gives his vision for Portage in front of over 200 supporters. The words he spoke resonated with the Portage residents and was a call to action to do their part and make the city we love and call home a better place.


05262011 - Video - Lt Governor Becky Skillman Speaks at a Snyder4Portage Event - Snyder4Portage




Lt Governor Becky Skillman Speaks at a Snyder4Portage Event
Snyder4Portage - YouTube
May 26, 2011
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4nBZIIauu0&t=2s
Lt Governor Becky Skillman addresses over 200 supporters of the Jim Snyder for Portage Mayor campaign. The event took place at the Islamorada Restaurant inside the Bass Pro Shop in Portage IN.


05262011 - Video - Snyder4Portage Fundraiser Introduction of Elected Officials - Snyder4Portage




Snyder4Portage Fundraiser Introduction of Elected Officials
Snyder4Portage - YouTube
May 26, 2011
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RuM6Sju760&t=50s
Jim Fitzer, Citizens for Snyder Treasurer, introduces elected officials present during a recent event . Lt Governor Becky Skillman was among 200 in attendance in show of support of Jim Snyder's mayoral campaign for the city of Portage. The event took place at the Islamorada Restaurant inside the Bass Pro Shop in Portage, IN.


Wednesday, May 25, 2011

05252011 - News Article - Magistrate James Johnson tenders his resignation - Magistrate James Johnson judicial investigation



Magistrate James Johnson tenders his resignation
Post Tribune
May 25, 2011
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.proxy.portagelibrary.info/resources/doc/nb/news/13772B895A6917D8?p=AWNB

VALPARAISO — Magistrate James Johnson tendered his resignation on Tuesday after serving 22 years on the bench.

The resignation follows a week where the 64-year-old Johnson was gone for an undisclosed illness. His last day is scheduled for Aug. 1.

“I’m not longer able to perform my duties,” Johnson wrote in a resignation letter to Porter Superior Court Judge Roger Bradford.

Johnson has a history of heart problems that have led to a caseload backup, necessitating the county judges to assign a probate commissioner to catch them up.

He recently had medical procedures done in January.

Bradford said that there is a backload of cases but “nowhere near what it was before.”

Johnson wasn’t available for comment.

The six Porter County judges are responsible for selecting a replacement for Johnson, and they’ll announce a procedure for that after their June 14 meeting.

Johnson will no longer take on new cases as of the end of this week so that he can finish his current caseload by August.

Bradford said if the magistrate finishes one a day, he’ll be done with his caseload before August.

A magistrate usually handles divorce, family law and estate cases. In July 2010, Johnson had about 97 cases backlogged.

Johnson is a 1974 graduate of the Valparaiso University School of Law and has been a deputy public defender and a deputy prosecuting attorney.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

05242011 - News Article - Porter County magistrate resigns amid case backlog - Magistrate James Johnson judicial investigation



Porter County magistrate resigns amid case backlog
NWI Times

May 24, 2011 
http://www.nwitimes.com/mobile/article_fa492759-e4bb-55d6-8099-607d733bd94d.html

VALPARAISO - A Porter County magistrate who had amassed a large backlog of cases has tendered his resignation.

Magistrate James Johnson will stop hearing cases at the end of this week and will officially retire Aug. 1, said Porter Superior Court Judge Roger Bradford, who supervises Johnson. Johnson will use that time to clear the cases, Bradford said.

Johnson's backlog of cases came to light in July 2010 when the courts reported he had 97 cases he had not yet ruled on. A part-time probate commissioner was hired to help clear the backlog.

Bradford on Tuesday said the situation with Johnson's cases had improved for some time, but he had fallen behind again. Bradford did not disclose the number of cases pending currently before Johnson, but he did say it was not as high the 97 cases reported last summer.

Johnson is one of Porter County's two adult magistrates who handle divorce, estate and guardianship cases.


Johnson, 64, is a 1974 graduate of the Valparaiso University School of Law and served as a deputy public defender and deputy prosecutor. He was appointed as Porter County probate commissioner in April 1989 and became a magistrate in 1995.

Bradford said the selection process for Johnson's replacement will be decided at a June 14 meeting of all the Porter County judges.



05242011 - News Article - Skillman to attend Snyder fundraiser



Skillman to attend Snyder fundraiser
NWI Times
May 24, 2011
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage/skillman-to-attend-snyder-fundraiser/article_87c16ae7-640c-5a6c-909f-b4d1e4755314.html

PORTAGE | Indiana Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman will attend a fundraising luncheon for Portage Republican mayoral candidate James Snyder.

The informal luncheon and meet-and-greet event will be at noon Thursday at Islamorada Restaurant inside Bass Pro Shops, 6425 Daniel Burnham Drive.

The event is sponsored by the Citizens for Snyder Mayoral Campaign. A donation of a minimum of $50 is requested. For more information or to RSVP, email Jim@snyder4portage.com or call Amanda at (219) 762-7200.

05242011 - News Article - Porter County magistrate stepping down - Magistrate James Johnson judicial investigation



Porter County magistrate stepping down
Post Tribune

May 24, 2011
Updated: August 4, 2011
http://posttrib.suntimes.com/news/porter/5571828-418/porter-county-magistrate-stepping-down.html

VALPARAISO — Magistrate James Johnson tendered his resignation on Tuesday after serving 22 years on the bench.

The resignation follows a week where the 64-year-old Johnson was gone for an undisclosed illness. His last day is scheduled for Aug. 1.

"I’m not longer able to perform my duties," Johnson wrote in a resignation letter to Porter Superior Court Judge Roger Bradford.

Johnson has a history of heart problems that have led to a caseload backup, necessitating the county judges to assign a probate commissioner to catch them up.


He recently had medical procedures done in January.

Bradford said that there is a backload of cases but "nowhere near what it was before."

Johnson wasn’t available for comment.

The six Porter County judges are responsible for selecting a replacement for Johnson, and they’ll announce a procedure for that after their June 14 meeting.

Johnson will no longer take on new cases as of the end of this week so that he can finish his current caseload by August.

Bradford said if the magistrate finishes one a day, he’ll be done with his caseload before August.

A magistrate usually handles divorce, family law and estate cases.

In July 2010, Johnson had about 97 cases backlogged.

Johnson is a 1974 graduate of the Valparaiso University School of Law and has been a deputy public defender and a deputy prosecuting attorney.


Tuesday, May 17, 2011

05172011 - Email from Attorney John Rhame/law partner of Portage City Attorney - Deaths of Abbi and Bailey - Rhame stated, "This matter will be handled by another law firm for the City due to ethical conflicts controlled by the Attorney code of Ethics" - NOTE: Rhame spoke on phone with police during unlawful police entry; Rhame ordered officers to leave the scene immediately because of Criminal No-Contact Order; Officers ignored Rhame's order



Attorney Rhame - my former divorce attorney -  spoke on the phone with the Portage police officers during the unlawful police entry on October 07, 2010. 

Rhame never reported the entry to the proper authorities.


Rhame [former Portage city attorney] was law partners at the time with the current Portage city attorney, Ken Elwood.






From:johnrhame <johnrhame@rhameandelwood.com>
To:'Renee'' <sur5er1998@aol.com>; 'Ken Elwood' <kenelwood@rhameandelwood.com>
Subject:RE: Police Complaint Form request
Date:Tue, May 17, 2011 7:48 am





Renee:   I am not the City Attorney.   Mr. Ken Elwood is the City Attorney.
My appearance as your counsel was withdrawn at your request in Sept. of 2010.   I cannot  be involved with  your dispute with the City nor can Mr. Elwood since I represented you in your divorce.    This matter will be handled by another law firm for the City due to ethical conflicts controlled by the Attorney code of  Ethics.    Therefore, there is no need to copy me with the emails.   John R.















Monday, May 16, 2011

05162011 - Email to Attorney John Rhame - Deaths of Abbi and Bailey

I had contacted Attorney Rhame - my former divorce attorney - because he had talked on the phone with the Portage police officers during the unlawful police entry. He never reported the entry to the proper authorities.

Rhame [former Portage city attorney] was law partners at the time with the current city attorney, Ken Elwood.


From: Renee' [mailto:sur5er1998@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2011 9:01 PM
To:
johnrhame@rhameandelwood.com
Subject: Fwd: Police Complaint Form request

City Attorney Rhame,

Attached is the email that Chief Becker sent me in regards to the death of my dogs. I noticed that Chief Becker did not send you a copy of this correspondence.

Renee' Harrington
Silence: the number one killer of victims of officer involved domestic violence.
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/
















05162011 - Email from Portage Police Chief Mark Becker - Deaths of Abbi and Bailey - Becker states matter is closed - Why my ex had my dogs killed, is something Becker says he cannot answer - Abbi and Bailey/Unlawful police entry/Failure to uphold No-Contact Order


From:Mark Becker <MBecker@portage-in.com>
To:Renee' <sur5er1998@aol.com>; Olga Velazquez <OVelazquez@portage-in.com>; kenelwood <kenelwood@rhameandelwood.com>
Subject:RE: Police Complaint Form request
Date:Mon, May 16, 2011 8:36 pm




Ms. Harrington
 
I am sorry that you have lost your dogs, 
however based upon the information provided to Captain Vaughan 
and the ensuing investigation he conducted, I do consider  this matter closed.  
As you noted in your email, your former husband "killed" your dogs, or at least 
signed over the paperwork approving them to be put down.  
Why he would have done so is something I cannot answer.
 
mjb













05162011 - Indiana Animal Cruelty Laws - IC 35-46-3-12 - Torture; Killing of a domestic animal









































05162011 - Indiana Animal Cruelty Laws - IC 35-46-3-6 - Officials' rights to impound animals if they believe a person may have violated cruelty laws