Morning News: Thursday January 19th 2023

Posey County Radio News and Sports

News:

A man in Mt. Vernon is accused of child molestation and sexual misconduct. 37-year-old Stephen Cox Jr. was booked into the Posey County Jail late Wednesday morning. He’s charged with two counts of child molesting and one count of sexual misconduct with a minor/statutory rape. Authorities say the arrest comes after a lengthy investigation by the Mount Vernon Police Department. He’s being held on a $100,000 cash bond. His first court appearance is expected next week.

 

A trial date has now been pushed back for a second time in a 2021 double murder case in Mt. Vernon. The Posey County Prosecutor Thomas Clowers says the trial set to begin later this month has been canceled at the request of the defense and over the objection of the prosecution. The new trial date is set for August 14th. Austin Kusturin was arrested after John and Elizabeth Hall were found dead in their home on Melody Lane in Mount Vernon back in November 2021.

 

Indiana Senate Bill 158 would call for suspected domestic violence abusers to sit in jail for 24 hours. Albion Fellows Bacon Center Community and Volunteer Engagement Coordinator Sonia Waters says the bill proposes for the suspected abuser to be in jail 16 hours longer than the standard eight hours. Waters says that Senate Bill 158 extending the period of time a suspected abuser is behind bars could give victims more time to figure out what’s next for them.

Waters also says that it allows more time for safety planning, gathering some belongings and a lot of times leaving the home and finding a safe place to stay. The bill would also make the invasion of privacy charge be considered a Level 6 felony if the suspected abuser is found with prior records of unrelated criminal stalking convictions. This means if the suspected abuser has any record of criminal stalking, they will be charged with a low-grade felony. According to Indiana General Assembly, the bill received a 6-2 vote from the Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law on Tuesday. If you or someone you know has experienced domestic violence, call the Albion Fellows Bacon Center 24-hour crisis line at 1-812-422-5622.

 

Sports: 

- In Mens College Basketball last night, Indiana State (13-7, 6-3) lost at home against Bradley, 78-67. The Sycamores have dropped 3-straight games. The Louisville Cardinals (2-17) suffered another loss at home to Pittsburgh, 75-54. 

- The Indiana Pacers (23-23) tumble at the Oklahoma City Thunder, 126-106. Pacers have lost 5-straight games. 

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