Greensburg, IN—Mitchell Tickle Jr., of Greensburg, was convicted after a trial by jury on June 27th, 2019, in the Decatur Circuit Court before Judge Timothy Day.
The trial proceedings began on June 25th, ranging over three days. Tickle was charged and convicted on a single count of Child Molesting, as a Level 1 Felony. The State’s case was presented by Prosecuting Attorney Nate Harter.
Yesterday, Tickle was sentenced to forty years, thirty-five years executed to the Department of Corrections and five years suspended to supervised probation.
Decatur County Prosecuting Attorney Nate Harter wants to recognize DCSD Detective Schanel Manek for her hard work on this case, as well as the many deputies who assisted in the interviewing and collection of evidence process. Further, DCS case manager Katie Hoffman went above and beyond the call of duty to secure justice for the victim. Also contributing to the team effort were ISP Lab Analyst Meredith Livingston and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Forensic Nurse Examiner Laura Olexa, both of whom testified before the jury.
Said Harter, “These cases are heartbreaking for all involved. I can’t imagine the trauma our victim has suffered at the hands of her father, and will continue to suffer for the rest of her life. I am grateful to the Sheriff and his department for their dedication to this tough case, especially to Detective Manek. Moreover, we worked well as a team with DCS and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southeastern Indiana. Their assistance secured the powerful testimony of our victim, which stood alone in convincing the jury to convict. My heart goes out to that brave little girl, and I wish her the best in her healing, and for a long and prosperous life.”
