GUILTY IN - Newton County, Fem, 30 Mar 2019 - Nicole Bowen

From link above:
"According to court documents, Kirts told the detective that as the two women fought, he put Bowen in a chokehold from behind. He said he held her that way for several minutes, until she collapsed. Kirts told the detective that he tied a scarf around Bowen’s neck, followed by brown extension cord, which “was tied tightly enough around Nicole's neck causing the cord end to break.”

I can understand that an extension cord might be readily available in a home. But what made him think of using a scarf? Did he just have one handy? Has anyone thought about the fact BG has been (possibly) reported as having a scarf around the lower portion of his face?

I may be waaaaay off here.......

I think the fact he used what was at hand is really interesting. I’m on the fence about whether or not this particular crew was involved in Delphi, but I have wandered why BG had everything (seeingly) stuffed inside his coat rather than just wearing a backpack if it was premeditated. Did he spot the girls on the bridge and take rope/wire/whatever else from Ron Logans property in a hurry?
 
From link above:
"According to court documents, Kirts told the detective that as the two women fought, he put Bowen in a chokehold from behind. He said he held her that way for several minutes, until she collapsed. Kirts told the detective that he tied a scarf around Bowen’s neck, followed by brown extension cord, which “was tied tightly enough around Nicole's neck causing the cord end to break.”

I can understand that an extension cord might be readily available in a home. But what made him think of using a scarf? Did he just have one handy? Has anyone thought about the fact BG has been (possibly) reported as having a scarf around the lower portion of his face?

I may be waaaaay off here.......

I think the fact he used what was at hand is really interesting. I’m on the fence about whether or not this particular crew was involved in Delphi, but I have wandered why BG had everything (seeingly) stuffed inside his coat rather than just wearing a backpack if it was premeditated. Did he spot the girls on the bridge and take rope/wire/whatever else from Ron Logans property in a hurry?
 
From link above:
"According to court documents, Kirts told the detective that as the two women fought, he put Bowen in a chokehold from behind. He said he held her that way for several minutes, until she collapsed. Kirts told the detective that he tied a scarf around Bowen’s neck, followed by brown extension cord, which “was tied tightly enough around Nicole's neck causing the cord end to break.”

I can understand that an extension cord might be readily available in a home. But what made him think of using a scarf? Did he just have one handy? Has anyone thought about the fact BG has been (possibly) reported as having a scarf around the lower portion of his face?

I may be waaaaay off here.......
I thought exactly the same when I read that.

He sure likes strangulation doesn't he. One of his priors is attempted strangulation. Nasty piece of work. I see the plea deal has now been withdrawn so this will take some time I would imagine unfortunately.
 
Last edited:
I think the fact he used what was at hand is really interesting. I’m on the fence about whether or not this particular crew was involved in Delphi, but I have wandered why BG had everything (seeingly) stuffed inside his coat rather than just wearing a backpack if it was premeditated. Did he spot the girls on the bridge and take rope/wire/whatever else from Ron Logans property in a hurry?

I wonder if the scarf was white.
 
Can anyone explain the DNA procedure? So the DNA is back in this case presumably on all the perps. Does it go into CODIS immediately so that other crimes could be solved or not?
 
@Tippy Lynn - okay - here's what I have for Kirts - please correct where you see it's wrong - like I said - too many cases for him. The only case # I have a question for is ##56D01-1912-MR-001281
This is for his next hearing:

Monday, January 6th:
*Final Disposition Hearing (re #56D01-1904-MR-000367 Newton County) (@ 10am CT) – IN – Nicole Lynn Bowen (30) (missing March, 29, 2019, Jefferson Township, Newton County, found March 30, 2019) - for *Garrett Kenneth Kirts (21) arrested (4/1/19) & charged (3/28/19) with murder, resisting LE & criminal recklessness. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will seek life without parole. Newton County Case #56D01-1904-MR-000367 / #56D01-1912-MR-001281 (??)
No trial date set.
6/12/19 Motions hearing reset for 7/10. No trial date set yet. 7/10/19: Defendant advises discovery continues. Next Omnibus hearing on 11/22.
11/22/19 Update: Case #56D01-1904-MR-000367 (Newton County): Codey Spear, Kirts’ attorney, acknowledged in court that the prosecutor’s plea offer was one Kirts was “inclined to accept,” pending hammering out some details. Kirts did not speak during Friday morning’s hearing. The plea expected during a hearing scheduled for Jan. 8. and orders probation to prepare a presentence report. Possible plea deal with a 45 year sentence. 12/13/2019: Order Set for Hearing: State's motion to set jury trial is set for hearing on 1/6/20. And disposition hearing (plea) on 1/8/20.

*Charged (1/20/19) with strangulation & domestic battery. Carroll County 08D01-1901-F6-000013
1/22/19 Update: Initial appearance. Pretrial conference 4/18/19. No contact order issued on 1/24/19. 4/18/19 Update: Defendant fails to appear. Defendant by temporary counsel, Christopher Phillips makes an oral motion to continue and convert this cause to a Counsel Only Status Hearing. State of Indiana has no objection. The Court grants said motion and sets a Status Hearing for May 23, 2019 at 1:00 pm with counsel only. Jury Trial set for April 22, 2019 is hereby vacated. 5/23/19: Status hearing attorneys only. Pretrial conference hearing on 9/9/19. 9/19/19: Defendant fails to appear due to being incarcerated in the Newton County Jail. Defendant by counsel makes an oral motion to continue. State of Indiana has no objection. The Court grants said motion and sets a Status Hearing for Dec. 5, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. Transport Order entered.
12/5/19: Motion for continuance of trial-granted (was scheduled for 9/23/19). Status hearing from 1/25/19 continued on 2/3/20 @ 9am.
*Charged (2/21/19) with invasion of privacy. Violates an order issued under I.C. 35-33-8-3.2 No plea entered. Carroll County 08D01-1903-CM-000087
1/28/19 Update: Initial hearing on 2/3/20 @ 9am, pretrial hearing & trial on 2/17/20.
*Charged (4/5/19) Charged Assisting a criminal (same as 3901), but the criminal assisted committed murder (felony 5). Newton Superior Court #56D01-1904-F5-000345
This case ^^ was resolved. ??
*Charged (2/20/19) in Tippercanoe County: Theft where value of property is between $750 to $50K. No case # for this one.

Attached is a screen shot of the cases in doxpop for GK.
Do you see the case # you are asking about? @Niner
G_Kirts_12.19.19.jpeg
 
I'll put these on a separate post for each.

Garth - Murder charge - Case #56D01-1912-MR-001281

01/10/2020 Hearing
Session: 01/10/2020 10:00 AM, Judicial Officer: Molter, Daniel J
Comment: Meaningful Hearing - Bond
Me: does she actually think she'll get bond??!!

02/05/2020 Hearing
Session: 02/05/2020 10:00 AM, Judicial Officer: Molter, Daniel J
Comment: (8) Depositions

02/19/2020 Discovery Conference
Session: 02/19/2020 10:00 AM, Judicial Officer: Molter, Daniel J

link: Indiana Supreme Court public access case search - MyCase


Garth - Assisting a criminal - Case #56D01-1904-F5-000376 was dismissed on 12/21/19. They have this charge included with the murder case.

link: Indiana Supreme Court public access case search - MyCase
 
Mathis:

12/18/2019 Final PreTrial Conference
Session: 12/18/2019 10:00 AM, Judicial Officer: Molter, Daniel J
Comment: FINAL PRETRIAL CONFERENCE(PT)
Result: Commenced and concluded

12/20/2019 Hearing Scheduling Activity
Final PreTrial Conference scheduled for 02/12/2020 at 10:00 AM.

12/20/2019 Order on Hearing
jury trial 4/6/19 vacated
Judicial Officer: Molter, Daniel J
Order Signed: 12/18/2019

12/20/2019 Motion to Vacate Hearing Filed
jury trial 4/6/19
Filed By: Mathis, Christopher C
File Stamp: 12/18/2019

12/20/2019 Order Granting Motion to Vacate Hearing
jury trial 4/6/19
Judicial Officer: Molter, Daniel J
Order Signed: 12/18/2019

12/20/2019 Hearing Scheduling Activity
Jury Trial scheduled for 04/06/2020 at 10:00 AM was cancelled. Reason: Other.

12/21/2019 Automated ENotice Issued to Parties
Hearing Scheduling Activity ---- 12/20/2019 : Brett Rodolfo Galvan;Jeffrey Dale Drinski Order on Hearing ---- 12/20/2019 : Brett Rodolfo Galvan;Jeffrey Dale Drinski Order Granting Motion to Vacate Hearing ---- 12/20/2019 : Brett Rodolfo Galvan;Jeffrey Dale Drinski Hearing Scheduling Activity ---- 12/20/2019 : Brett Rodolfo Galvan;Jeffrey Dale Drinski

02/12/2020Final PreTrial Conference
Session: 02/12/2020 10:00 AM, Judicial Officer: Molter, Daniel J

04/06/2020 CANCELED Jury Trial
Reason: Other
Session: 04/06/2020 10:00 AM, Cancelled
Comment: JURY TRIAL(JT)

link: Indiana Supreme Court public access case search - MyCase
 
Beckley:

12/18/2019 Hearing
Session: 12/18/2019 8:30 AM, Judicial Officer: Molter, Daniel J
Comment: OMNIBUS HEARING(OH)
Result: Commenced and concluded

12/20/2019 Hearing Scheduling Activity
Final PreTrial Conference scheduled for 02/26/2020 at 10:00 AM.

12/20/2019 Order on Hearing
Judicial Officer: Molter, Daniel J
Order Signed: 12/18/2019

12/21/2019 Automated ENotice Issued to Parties
Hearing Scheduling Activity ---- 12/20/2019 : Benjamin Church;Jeffrey Dale Drinski Order on Hearing ---- 12/20/2019 : Benjamin Church;Jeffrey Dale Drinski

02/26/2020Final PreTrial Conference
Session: 02/26/2020 10:00 AM, Judicial Officer: Molter, Daniel J

06/01/2020 Jury Trial
Session: 06/01/2020 10:00 AM, Judicial Officer: Molter, Daniel J
Comment: JURY TRIAL(JT)

link: Indiana Supreme Court public access case search - MyCase
 
And for Kirts I have:

*Garrett Kenneth Kirts (21) – Murder case: Newton County: Case #56D01-1904-MR-000367- 12/13/2019: Order Set for Hearing: State's motion to set jury trial is set for hearing on 1/6/20. Final Disposition on 1/8/20. Possible plea deal with a 45 year sentence. No trial date set.

Strangulation & Domestic Battery: Carroll County: #08D01-1901-F6-000013: Status hearing on 2/3/20.

Invasion of privacy: Carroll County: #08D01-1903-CM-000087: Initial hearing on 2/3/20 & pretrial & trial to begin on 2/17/20.


The only one I'm missing a hearing date for is:

*Charged (2/20/19) with theft where value of property is between $750 to $50K. Tippercanoe County #79D05-1902-F6-000263

@Tippy Lynn
 
And for Kirts I have:

*Garrett Kenneth Kirts (21) – Murder case: Newton County: Case #56D01-1904-MR-000367- 12/13/2019: Order Set for Hearing: State's motion to set jury trial is set for hearing on 1/6/20. Final Disposition on 1/8/20. Possible plea deal with a 45 year sentence. No trial date set.

Strangulation & Domestic Battery: Carroll County: #08D01-1901-F6-000013: Status hearing on 2/3/20.

Invasion of privacy: Carroll County: #08D01-1903-CM-000087: Initial hearing on 2/3/20 & pretrial & trial to begin on 2/17/20.


The only one I'm missing a hearing date for is:

*Charged (2/20/19) with theft where value of property is between $750 to $50K. Tippercanoe County #79D05-1902-F6-000263

@Tippy Lynn

This is the info in doxpop for that case:
Tippecanoe Superior Court 5
79D05-1902-F6-000263
State of Indiana v. Garett K Kirts
File date: 02/28/2019 Disposition Date:
Harrington, Patrick K [Attorney]
Address:
111 N 4th Street
Lafayette , IN 47901

Phone:
Work (Phone): 765-423-9305

State Bar ID: 833245
State of Indiana [State Plaintiff]

Kirts, Garett K [Defendant]
Address:
10413 S Springboro Road
Brookston , IN 47923

DOB: 02/07/1998

Pro Se [Attorney]

Minute Date: 4/2/2019
Input Date: Unavailable
Type: Automated ENotice Issued to Parties

Order Issuing Warrant for Arrest ---- 4/1/2019 : Garett K Kirts;Patrick K
Harrington
Minute Date: 4/2/2019
Input Date: Unavailable
Type: Warrant or Writ of Attmnt for the Body of a Person Issued


Minute Date: 4/1/2019
Input Date: Unavailable
Type: Initial Hearing

(8:30 AM) (Judicial Officer: McVey, Kristen E)
Result: Concluded

Minute Date: 4/1/2019
Input Date: Unavailable
Type: Order Issuing Warrant for Arrest

(Judicial Officer: McVey, Kristen E)
$250 cash
Order Signed: 04/01/2019

Minute Date: 3/8/2019
Input Date: Unavailable
Type: Automated ENotice Issued to Parties

Hearing Scheduling Activity ---- 3/7/2019 : Garett K Kirts;Patrick K
Harrington

Minute Date: 3/7/2019
Input Date: Unavailable
Type: Appearance Filed

For Party: State of Indiana
File Stamp: 02/28/2019

Minute Date: 3/7/2019
Input Date: Unavailable
Type: Probable Cause Affidavit Filed

Filed By: State of Indiana
File Stamp: 02/28/2019

Minute Date: 3/7/2019
Input Date: Unavailable
Type: Information Filed

Charging information
Filed By: State of Indiana
File Stamp: 02/28/2019

Minute Date: 3/7/2019
Input Date: Unavailable
Type: Hearing Scheduling Activity

Initial Hearing scheduled for 04/01/2019 at 8:30 AM.

Minute Date: 2/28/2019
Input Date: Unavailable
Type: Case Opened as a New Filing

 
Is Kirts an official suspect in the Delphi case?
 
I thought it may be handy to just have a list of upcoming dates in one short message. Hope I have it all.

Kirts
6Jan20 & 8Jan20 Murder initial/disposition jury trial or plea
3feb20 Kirts Strang/Dom Battery and invasion of privacy
3feb20 kirts pre trial and trial

Garth
10jan20 Hearing
5feb20 Discovery
19feb20 Pretrial

Mathis
18feb20 trial and pretrial

Beckley
26feb20 hearing
1jun20 jury trial
 
I thought it may be handy to just have a list of upcoming dates in one short message. Hope I have it all.

Kirts
6Jan20 & 8Jan20 Murder initial/disposition jury trial or plea
3feb20 Kirts Strang/Dom Battery and invasion of privacy
3feb20 kirts pre trial and trial

Garth
10jan20 Hearing
5feb20 Discovery
19feb20 Pretrial

Mathis
18feb20 trial and pretrial

Beckley
26feb20 hearing
1jun20 jury trial

Okay - I have a few items different.... the ones in red are the different ones.

Kirts
6Jan20 Murder - Motions hearing
8Jan20 Murder - Disposition jury trial or plea
3feb20 Strang/Dom Battery - Status hearing
3feb20 Invasion of privacy - Initial Hearing
17Feb20 Invasion of privacy - Pretrial hearing & trial

Mathis
18feb20 trial and pretrial

I have:
12Feb20 Final Pretrial hearing

From the court site for Mathis:

02/12/2020 Final PreTrial Conference
Session: 02/12/2020 10:00 AM, Judicial Officer: Molter, Daniel J

04/06/2020 CANCELED Jury Trial
Reason: Other
Session: 04/06/2020 10:00 AM, Cancelled
Comment: JURY TRIAL(JT)

link: Indiana Supreme Court public access case search - MyCase



 
Ok thanks Niner. Have this now, hopefully correct, as my reminder.
......

Kirts
6Jan20 & 8Jan20 Murder initial/disposition jury trial or plea
3feb20 Kirts Strang/Dom Battery and invasion of privacy
17feb20 inv of privacy pre trial hearing and trial

Garth
10jan20 Hearing
5feb20 Discovery
19feb20 Pretrial

Mathis
12Feb20 Final Pretrial hearing

Beckley
26feb20 hearing
1jun20 jury trial
 
This is a link to a connected case that has recently been covered in MSM. Several of us have known about this but it can now be discussed. Hoping to have a thread created for this, unless there is one already, if anyone knows.

Suspect in Kentland torture-murder case tied to strangulation death weeks earlier two counties away


Suspect in Kentland torture-murder case tied to strangulation death weeks earlier two counties away
Dave Bangert Lafayette Journal & Courier
Published 2:24 PM EST Dec 28, 2019
a29f8689-448d-4395-9904-8c62f018e6d1-49676392_10210885693776747_7230402706366529536_o.jpg

Ray Hanish, 49, a nurse living in Reynolds, was found dead in his home on March 17, 2019. The coroner has ruled his death a homicide.
Photo provided

"KENTLAND, Ind. – The November morning a bailiff escorted Garett Kirts, a Lebanon 21-year-old shackled and dressed in an orange jumpsuit, into Newton Superior Court, Dottie Hoagland-Hanish had squeezed into one of two rows of the gallery already filled with more than a dozen people in light blue T-shirts printed with a hashtag #justicefornicole.

Hoagland-Hanish was a mismatch in a white T-shirt with big block, rainbow letters.

She’d made the two-hour-plus drive from Warsaw with her daughter, Roxanne Collins – who had come from her home in North Carolina, there in an identical white T-shirt – knowing she’d have to explain the message across her chest, “Justice for Ray,” and what it had to do with a murder case on another side of Indiana, in another time zone.

When her son, Ray Hanish, died in March at age 49, his body found in his Reynolds duplex days later, there were no accounts in a newspaper in or around the White County town 25 miles north of Lafayette. Nothing on TV, either. Nothing much on social media, even. The initial word she received was that Hanish, a nurse at a nursing home in Monticello, had died of natural causes.

“It didn’t add up,” Hoagland-Hanish said.

Months later, in September, Ray Hanish’s death certificate was released by the White County coroner. Under the manner of death section, the coroner put a checkmark next to “Homicide.”

The cause of death: “Asphyxia due to ligature strangulation.”

The how and the why still are sketchy from official sources.

Sgt. Kim Riley, spokesman for the Indiana State Police post in Lafayette, said results of an ISP investigation into Hanish’s death were turned over to the White County prosecutor. Beyond that, Riley said he wasn’t in a position to share details of what police suspect happened to Ray Hanish.

What the family knows from the prosecutor is that Kirts – charged in Newton County, jailed and waiting a trial in connection with the strangulation death of Nicole Bowen, a West Lafayette mother of two found dead in late March a few miles from Kentland – was somehow tied to Ray Hanish’s death, as well."

More at link above.
 

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