10022011 - News Article - Porter County near record number of homicides in a year

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.