A teenager was transferred to adult court and charges were filed against another man in connection to the murder of a Milan woman nearly ten months to the day that the alleged crime occurred.
68-year-old Nancy Hershman was killed on December 30, 2012.
In October, a hearing was held to determine if a teen previously known by initials D.H., would be tried as an adult or juvenile.
Ripley County Circuit Court Judge Carl Taul waived the teenager, Daniel A. Hodge, who was 15 years old on the date of the crime into adult court after a request from the state, according to The Versailles Republican. The ruling was filed on Nov. 1.
Hodge had his 16th Birthday on Dec. 31. If he was 16 on the date of the crime, he would have been automatically sent to adult court.
If Hodge is convicted of adult murder charges, he could potentially serve 65 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections. A conviction in juvenile court would have brought a maximum detention sentence until age 21.
Hodge is also facing felony burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary charges in connection to the case.
In March, Judge Taul waived the other juvenile in the case, Sean Nichols, 15, to adult court. On October 30, charges were filed against his older brother for an alleged participation in the crime, The Versailles Republican reports.
20-year-old Ben Nichols, Cincinnati, is facing conspiracy to commit theft and conspiracy to commit burglary charges in connection to the Hershman case. The trial is scheduled to begin on April 15.
Authorities believe Daniel Hodge, Sean Nichols, and 22-year-old Allison Moore drove from Colerain Township, Ohio and broke into Hershman’s home on West Ellis Street. Moore is believed to be the shooter, while Hodge and Nichols were attempting to take a television.
