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Cody Stanfield

Cody Stanfield

Memorial for Son by his Dear Mother


This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved one, Cody Stanfield. He was born in Indiana on July 06, 2004 and passed away on October 12, 2004 . We will remember him forever. Cody was my dream come true. He was a fraternal twin and the preemie of the two.

From the beginning he was a strong little boy with a beautiful defined face and a quiet spirit within him. He was born with the help of a procedure known as Invito Fertilization. Because of medical reasons this was my only hope of ever becoming a mother. Thank God after the first procedure I found out that the two eggs that was put in took and I for the first time ever was pregnant with TWINS!

Around four or five months I found out that they was going to be a girl and a boy. But even still until I saw their faces I knew the ultrasound could be wrong. I did pick out two names though and its funny but the two I picked just seemed to fit. The pregnancy was good up until my 29wk when I started to go into pre-term labor. I was admitted and stayed until their birth which was at 36wks.

Cody was born first weighing 4# 13 0z. What a angel! I couldn't believe this beautiful baby was mine finally. My dream came true. His faint little cry was so precious to hear for the first time.I never would have thought that his precious life would have been so short lived.

He was just two months old while in his father's care that the tragic event took place. Cody was a victim of Shaken Baby Syndrome, but passed away from blunt force trauma from being tossed onto our couch after being shook.

I still cannot believe that he is gone or that my precious baby boy suffered and died in that manner. I feel violated that my son was taken from me and I will never get to see him grow up with his twin sister, or to see him get married and start a family of his own. I feel betrayed that a man I loved and shared my life with would do this type of crime to his own child and to me and our family. I did not just lose a son, but a family and a husband.

My life will never be the same now. Every holiday, anniversary of my pregnancy events and his birthday will be a constant reminder of the loss of his life. How do I explain to his twin sister what her own father did to her twin brother? And how can I really go on......I have been in shock ever since that night I saw my son at the hospital.

The pictures are hard to look at of him like that. But my family and I took them in hopes that we could help people see what danger shaking a baby can do and to try to help spread awareness in that a life may be saved. If anyone having trouble coping with a crying baby or just being a new parent comes upon this memorial site and gets touched by it or helps them in anyway, then my son's life will not be in vain. Since this happened I have divorced and gotten counseling to help with my loss. His father plead guilty to battery and got 5 yrs but he only did 1 year and 9 months for it! I can't believe that's all he had to serve for killing our son.

Even though Cody was here for such a short time his presence and sweet spirit touched everyone who came in contact with him. His big smile made you grin and when his little fingers would grasp yours...you would melt. At Cody's funeral, it was said that his life was....."Born on Earth to Blossom in Heaven". That he is.

How beautiful.

Shereese Barksdale


Mom Arrested in Newborn's Death

October 15, 2004

The mother of a two-week-old infant has been arrested on a preliminary charge of murder after an autopsy showed the girl had been physically abused, Indianapolis police reported today. Tonya Barksdale, 34, of the 900 block of East Saratoga Drive, was taken into custody late Thursday after being interviewed by homicide detectives. Internal injuries were discovered by pathologists conducting an autopsy Thursday of her daughter, Shereese Barksdale, born Sept. 28. There had been no external signs of injury.

Nancy Young


Man Charged With New Albany Double Murder


(NEW ALBANY, Ind., October 10th, 2004, 6:00 p.m.) -- Family members say rage over his grandmother's new boyfriend may have caused a southern Indiana man to snap this week. Casey Brown is charged with two counts of murder after police found Nancy Young and Will Slone dead in Young's New Albany apartment. WAVE 3 Investigator James Zambroski has the story.

"What motivates anyone to do something of that nature, especially kill somebody, I don't really know," said New Albany Police Chief Merle Harl.

New Albany Police continue to investigate what went on inside a Willow Run apartment this weekend. Nancy Young and her boyfriend, Will Stone, were found murdered off Grant Line Road.

"After trying the door, Sgt. Miller was trying to gain entry into the apartment by going through a window. That's when a young man came to the door and wanted to know what they were doing, what they wanted," said Chief Harl.

That man, police say, was Casey Brown, Young's 24-year-old grandson.

"When he was asked where Miss Young was at, he said he didn't know. He said come on in and check. The sergeant went in, realized he had a crime scene, possible homicide. Came back out, handcuffed the individual," said Chief Harl.

Casey Brown is charged with two counts of murder. He faces arraignment on Monday. Brown's cousin says he may have just snapped.

"My uncle, you know, pampered him, you know, until he died. And when my uncle died, he was just crushed. He was just crushed. And he just couldn't accept that, another man being with his grandmother," said Curtis Young, Nancy Young's nephew.

As the family gathered for an annual reunion picnic planned weeks ago, they shared fond memories of their departed loved one.

"When we cooked, she'd smell the food cookin' and come over and knock on the door and say, 'Well, where's mine?' and get her a plate or something," said James Young, Brown's cousin.

"We had a restaurant; I'm a chef by profession. She would come there and try to cook. She couldn't cook a lick," remembered Curtis Young about his cousin Nancy.

Meanwhile, New Albany Police continuing putting it all together. So far, Brown has not made a statement to police.

"He has interviewed, they interviewed him for a lengthy amount of time yesterday, about three hours, and he never admitted to anything," said Chief Harl.

Casey Brown is being held in the Floyd County Jail pending arraignment on Monday.

The double homicide is the second in New Albany in three weeks. On September 16th, police say Kerry C. Wilson escaped from a Louisville halfway house and murdered Vicki Hunt, his ex-girlfriend and her friend, DaJuan Clark.


To see post for dear friend Will Slone, please click here.

Will Slone



Suspect Arraigned In Murder Of Grandmother, Boyfriend


(NEW ALBANY, Ind., October 11th, 2004, 3 p.m.) -- A 26-year-old New Albany man charged in the stabbing deaths of his grandmother and her boyfriend last week was in court Monday. Casey Brown pleaded not guilty to two charges of murder.

Police found the bodies of 64-year-old Nancy Young and 48-year-old Will Stone on Saturday after getting a call from a concerned relative.

Floyd County Coroner Greg Balmer said both died of multiple stab wounds and had been dead for several days. "We think it happened last Tuesday or early Wednesday."

James Young, Nancy Young's nephew and neighbor, said Brown had lived in Nancy Young's apartment for about two months.

He said he and Nancy Young's other relatives and friends had been worried about her because they had not seen her for several days.

Still no word on a possible motive for the murders.



To see post for dear friend Nancy Young, please click here.

Karen Barrett


Evansville Man Confesses To Killing Girlfriend

September 24, 2004

UPDATE, MON 10:23 AM: James Hape of Evansville is scheduled for an arraignment hearing at 1:00 p.m. in Posey County Circuit Court.

Hape has confessed to fatally shooting his girlfriend Karen Barrett, and leaving her body in the garage of her Posey County home.

UPDATE, SUN 9:50 PM: The Posey County Lead Detective Sergeant Dan Gaffney has informed Newswatch that after three hours of interrogation, James Hape has confessed to the murder of Karen Barrett.

They have also located the murder weapon. They found the pistol after searching through Hape's truck.

Hape is expected to be arraigned Monday in Posey County Court.

Police say that Hape's demeanor is calm and he is acting as if nothing happened.

UPDATE, SUN 5:15 PM: The suspect in this weekend's murder is in police custody. Police located James Hape in Fort Branch and he is being transported to Posey County Jail.

UPDATE, SUN 4:30 PM: Posey County police have named a prime suspect in this weekend's domestic homicide.

Police released a picture of James Hape, who is still on the loose Sunday evening.

Investigators say he allegedly murdered his live-in girlfriend Karen Barrett. Barrett was found in her garage, shot to death.

Police said that a motorist drove past on Friday and saw the open garage with Barrett's murdered body lying inside.

Police told Newswatch that Hape and Barrett were dating for only a year, and have had approximately six different domestic violence incidents within the past few months.

Investigators say Barrett's father has been concerned for his daughter's safety.

They said, "He was adamant about this was coming. This was going to happen ecetera ... Apparently Mr. Hape was known to be an extremely jealous individual and had a volatile personality."

Police believe Hape is driving a red 2004 Chevy pick-up. If you see Hape or the car, call Posey County Police or Indiana State Police.

EARLIER: The Posey County Sheriff's Office is investigating a homicide.

It happened Friday night just before 9pm in Wadesville, Indiana.

Emergency personnel responded to 8981 Winery Road, where they found 39-year-old Karen Barrett lying on the garage floor.

She had been shot multiple times in her upper torso and head. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have issued an arrest warrant for Barrett's boyfriend, 42-year old James Hape of Evansville. The Posey County Sheriff's Department has identified Hape as the lead suspect in the murder of Karen Barrett.

Police are searching for Hape. They believe he's driving a red, 2004 Chevy pickup extended cab or a purple 1998 Harley Davidson motorcycle.

If you have any information about James Hape's whereabouts, you should call the Posey County Sheriff's Office or Indiana State Police.

Vicki Hunt


13-Year-Old Boy Left Without Mom After Double Homicide

Ex-Boyfriend Charged With Two Counts Of Murder

September 16, 2004

NEW ALBANY, Ind. -- A 13-year-old boy is without his mother following an early-morning double homicide in southern Indiana Thursday.

Investigators said Vicki Hunt, 38, of New Albany, and 22-year-old DaJuan Clark, of Louisville, both were killed, WLKY NewsChannel 32's Natasha Collins reported.

Police also said Hunt's teenage son was in the house around the time of the crime. The boy somehow escaped and went to a neighbor's house, where police were called to the scene, Collins reported.

It happened at about 3 a.m. at Hunt's home on Hand Avenue in New Albany.

When investigators arrived, they saw a suspect run out of the home, Collins reported. They also found Hunt and Clark dead from multiple stab wounds inside the home.

Not long after, Kerry C. Wilson, 39, reportedly called police and arranged to turn himself in. While authorities wouldn't reveal what Wilson told them, it was apparently enough to charge him with the two homicides and place him in custody.

"The man that fled the house later made contact with police," New Albany Capt. Keith Whitlow said. "We located him. He's now in the Floyd County Jail, charged with two counts of murder."

Neighbors said Wilson and Hunt once were a couple and moved into the home on Hand Avenue in March, Collins reported.

"I didn't think it could happen here," neighbor Ivan Chambers said. "But it could happen anywhere, you know what I'm saying?"

Also:

In Floyd County, attorneys for Kerry Wilson negotiated a plea agreement that called for Wilson to plead guilty to the murders of Vicki Hunt and DaJuan Clark. In exchange for the plea, the prosecutor dismissed the death penalty request and habitual offender charge. At the time of the killings, Wilson was being held at a halfway house pending a revocation of his probation for a previous charge of battering Hunt, a former girlfriend. Wilson escaped from the halfway house and walked five miles to Hunt’s home, where he stabbed Hunt and Clark to death. Hunt’s thirteen-year-old son was in the home but was not injured.


To see post for dear friend DaJuan Clark please click here.

DaJuan Clark


Prosecutor Seeks Death Penalty in Double Murder

September 23, 2004

In New Albany, a prosecutor said he will seek the death penalty for an inmate charged with fatally stabbing his ex-girlfriend and another man about an hour after escaping from a halfway house.

Jealousy may have been 39-year-old Kerry Wilson's motive, Prosecutor Keith Henderson said during a hearing Tuesday in Floyd County Superior Court.

Wilson, of Jeffersonville, is charged with murder in the Sept. 16 slayings of Vicki Hunt, 38, and Dajuan Clark, 22, at her home in New Albany. Both cities are just north of Louisville, Ky.

Court records show that Wilson has a history of domestic violence dating back at least 8 years. He was charged in April with choking and beating Hunt.

Wilson had been held since July 30 at the Dismas Charities Portland halfway house, which houses some inmates from Clark County to relieve jail crowding there. He was being held because Clark County prosecutors had filed a petition to revoke his probation.

Police said that Hunt's 13-year-old son was at home at the time of the attack but was able to leave the house without being injured.


To see post for dear friend Vicki Hunt, please click here.

Sharon Glass


RUBEN GREEN, Appellant-Defendant, vs. STATE OF INDIANA, Appellee-Plaintiff.

No. 49A05-0610-CR-557
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

Ruben Green and Sharon Glass were involved in a romantic relationship from November 2003 to September 2004. On September 3, after the relationship had ended, Glass reported a computer and two DVD/VCR players had been taken from her home. The burglary upset Glass, so she and her new boyfriend, Robert Dunn, spent the night at a hotel. When she returned home the next day, she found her television had been stolen. That day, she reported Green had beaten her and told police she suspected he was involved in at least one of the burglaries. Dunn testified Green spied on Glass, called her frequently, and left a message stating she "was going to regret leaving me, bitch."

Robert Locke, a friend of Glass, was dating a woman who lived in the same apartment complex as Green. Locke was at the complex frequently. Green told Locke he had stolen some of Glass' property, and Locke saw him pawn some of the items. Locke told Glass that Green had her property, but did not tell her Green had pawned the items.

On September 13, Glass told Dunn that Green had called her, saying he was willing to return her property. Glass went to Green's apartment complex, where she saw Locke sitting outside. Glass told him that she had come to get her things from Green. She told him if she was not out in fifteen minutes, he should call the police.

Locke did not take her comment seriously and returned to his girlfriend's apartment. About fifteen minutes later, Green appeared at the door of Locke's girlfriend's apartment and told Locke that Glass had hit him in the head with a bottle. Locke and Green ran back to Green's apartment, where Locke saw Glass sitting in a chair. She was bloody and wearing only panties and a shirt. Her mouth was open and her eyes were rolled back in her head. Locke ran back to his girlfriend's apartment to call 911. Green also called 911 and began CPR on Glass as instructed.

Paramedics arrived to take Glass to the hospital, and she died en route. Green was taken into custody. After being advised of his Miranda rights, Green claimed Glass had hit him in the head with his clock and bit him, the attack was unprovoked, and he had hurt her in the course of warding off her attack.

Green was charged with murder and was originally tried in May 2006. During the trial, Detective Claire Hochman discovered she had relevant telephone records in her possession. They were not certified and had not been provided to the defense during discovery. Detective Hochman handed the records over to the prosecutor, who in turn gave a copy to the defense counsel. The State acknowledged they could not be admitted at trial. Neither party informed the judge of this situation.

While Detective Hochman was on the stand, a juror asked a question about phone records. Green's counsel attempted to object, but because the judge was unaware of the discovery violation, he cut counsel short and permitted questions about the records. Detective Hochman testified she had records of calls between Glass, Locke, and Green. When the prosecutor began to ask Detective Hochman additional questions, Green's counsel asked to approach the bench. Counsel was finally able to explain the situation to the judge, and a mistrial was declared.

Green moved to dismiss the charges, but his motion was denied. The case proceeded to a second trial in August 2006. The parties were told not to refer to the first trial and to instruct their witnesses accordingly. However, Glass' mother, Deborah Ellis, referred to "the prosecutor from the last trial" during her testimony.  Green did not object, but the judge admonished the prosecutor, who claimed he had prepared his witnesses and the reference was inadvertent.

By agreement, the parties played a tape of forensic scientist Judith Macechko's testimony from the first trial. The tape was to be edited to remove any indication the testimony was from a previous trial. Nevertheless, multiple comments on the tape indicated Macechko was testifying before a jury. Again, Green failed to object. When the judge admonished the State a second time, Green moved for a mistrial. The trial court denied the motion, but offered a curative instruction. Green declined to have the jury admonished. The second trial resulted in a conviction of murder.

Stephanie Gillum

Stephanie Gillum

Man Questioned In Woman's Death Says He's Innocent

Indy Resident Denies Making Threat Detailed In Restraining Order

August 13, 2004

INDIANAPOLIS -- An Indianapolis man says police have questioned him hard about the shooting death of a Hamilton County woman he dated, but he insists he doesn't know who killed her.

Willie Dumes, 30, who was prohibited by a court from contacting Stephanie Gillum just weeks before she was found dead Wednesday in a Carmel park, said Friday that he would "give my life before hers any day."

"I love her too much. I did not kill Stephanie. I didn't," Dumes told RTV6's Vicki Duncan. Dumes says he is the father of Gillum's 5-month-old son.

Gillum, 20, of Fishers, was found dead in her Jeep Grand Cherokee at Hazel Landing Park in Carmel. She was shot twice in the head; police said they don't know who killed her.

Though police haven't named Dumes as a suspect, they questioned him about her death in part because her mother accused him in July of threatening to "kill anyone" who prevented him from taking the infant.

In an application for a protective order, Stephanie's mother, Jan Gillum -- who has custody of the infant -- alleged that Dumes "told me he was going to take the child … and kill anyone who got in his way."

The order was issued in July, prohibiting Dumes from contacting Stephanie Gillum, the infant, Jan Gillum, and Jan Gillum's husband.

Dumes, who was arrested last year on suspicion that he hit Stephanie Gillum, denied making a threat.

"I never called Jan and threatened her. Never," Dumes said.

Dumes said police tried to get him to confess to the slaying.

"They said, 'Willie, we know you killed her. Just tell us why you killed her,' " Dumes said. "I told them over and over, 'I did not kill her.' "

Stephanie Gillum's death was Carmel's first homicide since 1998, police said.

UPDATE:

On an early Monday morning Carmel Police arrested Willie J. Dumes, 30, of Indianapolis, on a warrant for the murder of Stephanie Gillum. Dumes was charged with one count of Murder and one count of being a Habitual Offender in connection with the homicide of Stephanie Gillum. Gillum had been found dead in her vehicle in a parking at a local park.

Detective Brad Hedrick, Carmel Police Department, asked the City of Carmel GIS to create "a map" showing the jury where the victim was found, who she was with before the murder, and the time and location of the crime.
cell tower map

The first maps the Police Department requested were relatively basic: aerial photography of the investigation site, and points where evidence was found. As the investigation into the murder progressed, however, Detective Brad Hedrick approached Carmel GIS with more evidence to map.

The Detective had obtained detailed information on the victim's cell phone. Cell phones are constantly communicating with a network, sending pings to the nearest transmission tower, which enables calls to be routed correctly. As a cell phone moves, its call is handed off from tower to tower. The carrier keeps records of which towers the phone contacted and when, tracking its movement to within a few hundred yards.

Using the cell phone records and other evidence, Carmel GIS was able to create a digital "trail" of the victim's location throughout the fatal evening. The detailed map produced for the trial was one of many, many maps created for the murder investigation.
Results

The cell phone map was used throughout the murder investigation and criminal trial. The Prosecutor and members of the jury later commented to Detective Hedrick, "The map presented case evidence in a clear, concise manner. It created a clear picture of the crime events, and we were able to focus on the visual display."

Willie Dumes was found guilty of killing his ex-girlfriend Stephanie Gillum, and sentenced to prison.