Monroe County Judges all recuse themselves in Booker case
The charges against 38 year-old former Bloomington resident Vauhxx Booker will be heard by a judge yet to be determined by the Indiana Supreme Court, as each of Monroe County’s Criminal Case Judges have recused themselves. Booker has been charged with trespassing and battery stemming from an incident July 4th weekend in 2020, in which he sought and received national attention. Booker alleged that he was the victim of racial bigotry, claiming he was physically restrained while calls for a noose were being made. After reports from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources completed their investigation, special prosecutor Sonia Leerkamp recommended charges against Booker as wekl as two others involved in the incident, Sean Purdy and Jerry Cox.
During this past week’s hearing, held in Monroe County, Monroe County Circuit Judge Valeri Haughton announced the recusal of all of the County’s Judges. It is likely that the case will be heard by Johnson County Superior Court Judge Lance Hamner, the Judge of record for the cases against Purdy and Cox. It is unknown by when the Indiana Supreme Court will make its decision.
Hoosier Hysteria set for October 2nd
Indiana University Athletics has announced the date for the 2021 Hoosier Hysteria at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Saturday, October 2nd is the date to mark on your calendars, where the public will be welcomed to cheer on their Men’s and Women’s baskeball programs as the kickoff of the seasons.
Mike Woodson, will be making his first appearance at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall as the Head Men’s Basketball coach. One of the legendary players in program history, Woodson has returned to the IU sidelines and will unveil a team that features a returning All-American in Trayce Jackson-Davis, experienced veterans such as Race Thompson and Rob Phinisee, and exciting newcomers including Tamar Bates, and transfers Xavier Johnson and Miller Kopp.
Coach Teri Moren’s women’s basketball team, which returns all five starters from a team that set a program-record with 16 Big Ten wins last season and advanced to the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight for the first time. With first-team All-Big Ten players Grace Berger, Mackenzie Holmes and Ali Patberg among the returnees, Moren’s team heads into the 2021-22 season with expectations and aspirations that have never been higher for IU Women’s Basketball.
Hoosier Hysteria presented by Smithville is free to attend, with fans being asked to donate a canned food item to benefit Hoosier Hills Food Bank. The event’s start time will be finalized after the kickoff time for the IU-Penn State football game that same day is set. That information and other details will be released as they become available.
Sullivan County Coroner allegedly commits suicide after being accused of inappropriate intentions with decoy minor
Sullivan County Coroner Tracy Tackett was found dead in a vehicle earlier this week according to Sullivan County Sheriff Clark Cottom. Tackett was found dead in a vehicle on County Road 300 North and County Road 225 East in Sullivan, of an apparent self-inflicted gun shot wound. The department had reported Tackett missing, after he suddenly left an apartment on Monday morning, which he shared with his girlfriend. Sheriff Cottom says it wasn’t clear if he intended to leave town or hurt himself. Indiana State Police are investigating the incident. Last week Indiana State Police Putnamville Post confirmed an ongoing investigation involving Tackett after he allegedly sent messages to a person posing as a 14-year-old girl from Expose Your Local Pedophile (EYLP).