GUILTY IN - Amanda Blackburn, 28, pregnant, murdered, Indianapolis, 10 Nov 2015 #4

[FrostedGlass]

Amazing how these clowns take their phones to a murder

He'll have a lot of time to think about mistakes he made. He'll be like: Oh man, why didn't I make one of them stay with me? Why didn't I leave my phone in the car? Why did I think I could trust 2 who were long-time friends to each other?

Just wait until he goes to trial for the Hernandez murder and the rape. IIRC, he told one of his cellies about killing Hernandez. Rats be rattin'.

 

[Niner]

Friday, Sept. 23rd:
*Pretrial Conference Hearing (@ 9:30am ET) – IN - Amanda Blackburn (28) (was 12 weeks pregnant shot to death, Nov. 10, 2015, Indianapolis) - *Diano Cortez Gordan (24/now 31) arrested (11/19/15) on unrelated charges for parole violation. Plus charged (1/14/16) with 2 counts of murder, robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, 2 counts of burglary, theft, intimidation, criminal confinement & battery resulting in moderate bodily injury. Plead not guilty. No bond.
Charges/Plea on other charges Case #s 49D31-1601-MR-001659 (murder)/49G05-1512-F4-043993 (burglary & theft) & Court info from 12/8/21 thru 5/19/22 reference post #755 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...red-indianapolis-10-nov-2015-4.295601/page-38
7/22/22 Update: Next pretrial conference hearing on 9/16/22 for murder charges. 9/16/22 Update: Will be testifying in Taylor’s murder trial.
9/16/22 Update: Next pretrial conference hearing re probable cause on 9/23/22.
*Larry Jo Taylor, Jr. (18/now 25) - Trial (Blackburn) which started 12/6/21 was declared a mistrial. Blackburn murder: Bench trial began on 9/19/22 & ended 9/22/22 with a Guilty verdict on all charges, except 1 count of murder & 1 count of robbery. Sentencing hearing on 10/14/22. Hernandez murder: final pretrial hearing on 11/15/22. Public Indecency: Final pretrial hearing on 11/15/22. Rape: Final pretrial conference on 11/15/22 & trial on 11/21/22.
*Jalen Emmanuel Watson (21/now 27) - Plead guilty (10/27/21) & sentenced to 29 years. Earliest possible release date: 8/17/2037.

 

[FrostedGlass]

@Niner
The judge is scheduled to begin hearings at 9 am; I just checked and there's no live stream for his court. I'll check back in a while just in case he started late.

 

[DeDee]

Nov. 24, 2015

"Taylor stated that she charged at him and he shot her somewhere in the upper body so he would not be scratched," the filing states.

WTHR today reported prosecutors filed for a sentencing enhancement against Taylor. That means if he is convicted, Taylor could face an additional 20 years in prison because Blackburn was pregnant.

Affidavit provides details in murder of pastor's wife

I'll never believe Amanda charged at LT. I believe instead that LT is claiming this so it doesn't look so horrible of him to shoot a lady unprovoked, especially one with child. His DNA is not found in the house nor on Amanda. So, why did LT take the bank cards, toss them to his cohorts then return to Amada's home? Did someone order him to kill her? I don't understand why he went back into the home.

New York, District Attorney Jeanine Pirro said, ""He was in the gym that morning at or around the time that she was shot. That doesn't rule out the possibility of the police looking at murder for hire. It also doesn't rule out the fact that they have to now look at was he always going to the gym? Is the gym something that he just recently started? What about Facebook, Twitter, email, finances, telephone records? You know there is a lot more than this and then police always have a reason for saying what they say." (link below)

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"The grieving pastor told police that when he arrived home at about 7:30 a.m. he stayed on the phone in the driveway until he around 8:20 a.m. when he entered his house."

Blackburn Left Home Unlocked Then Returned to Find Wife Nude and Dead, Says Court Doc

While his wife lay dying, he dawdles in his car. But, #NothingIsWasted

 

[FrostedGlass]

@DeDee Remember he was/is accused of wanting to kill the sleeping occupants of the one place they burgled and he raped when he and Gordon were robbing without Watson. I think he went back in with intentions to rape and murder Amanda, too.

This part: "Taylor then told them he leaned over her body and shot her in the back of the head. He leaned further, looked at her face, and watched her bleed," the affidavit stated.

I hope she was unconscious and didn't have to see his ugly, evil face watching her die.

Gordon gets sentenced on 09/26. I think this is the same for his other 2.
49D31-1601-MR-001659

09/23/2022	Pretrial Conference Session: 09/23/2022 9:30 AM, Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W Result: Commenced and concluded
09/23/2022	Hearing Journal Entry defendant in custody and present, represented by Borland; state by Kibbe Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W
09/23/2022	Hearing Scheduling Activity Sentencing Hearing scheduled for 09/26/2022 at 9:00 AM.
09/26/2022	Sentencing Hearing Session: 09/26/2022 9:00 AM, Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W Comment:10:00AM

 

[charminglane]

I will ALWAYS be right there with you, @DeDee.

 

[Niner]

Monday, Sept. 26th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 10am ET) – IN - Amanda Blackburn (28) (was 12 weeks pregnant shot to death, Nov. 10, 2015, Indianapolis) - *Diano Cortez Gordan (24/now 31) arrested (11/19/15) on unrelated charges for parole violation. Plus charged (1/14/16) with 2 counts of murder, robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, 2 counts of burglary, theft, intimidation, criminal confinement & battery resulting in moderate bodily injury. Plead not guilty. No bond.
Charges/Plea on other charges Case #s 49D31-1601-MR-001659 (murder)/49G05-1512-F4-043993 (burglary & theft) & Court info from 12/8/21 thru 9/16/22 reference post #882 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...red-indianapolis-10-nov-2015-4.295601/page-45
9/16/22 Update: Next pretrial conference hearing re probable cause on 9/23/22. 9/23/22 Update: Pretrial conference commenced & concluded. Defendant in custody & present, represented by Borland; State by Kibbe, Judge Grant W. Hawkins. Sentencing hearing on 9/26/22.
*Larry Jo Taylor, Jr. (18/now 25) - Trial (Blackburn) which started 12/6/21 was declared a mistrial. Blackburn murder: Bench trial began on 9/19/22 & ended 9/22/22 with a Guilty verdict on all charges, except 1 count of murder & 1 count of robbery. Sentencing hearing on 10/14/22. Hernandez murder: final pretrial hearing on 11/15/22. Public Indecency: Final pretrial hearing on 11/15/22. Rape: Final pretrial conference on 11/15/22 & trial on 11/21/22.
*Jalen Emmanuel Watson (21/now 27) - Plead guilty (10/27/21) & sentenced to 29 years. Earliest possible release date: 8/17/2037.

 

[MajorHoople]

Amanda Byars Blackburn, age 28

Lost to gun violence on November 10, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Click to light a candle, post a photo, or tell the world about Amanda.

gunmemorial.org

 

[FrostedGlass]

@Niner
There was no live stream for Gordon's sentencing but we have these updates so far:

09/26/2022	Sentencing Hearing Session: 09/26/2022 9:00 AM, Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W Comment: 10:00AM Result: Commenced and concluded
09/26/2022	Hearing Journal Entry defendant in custody and present, represented by Borland; state by Busby Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W
09/26/2022	Hearing Journal Entry Ms. Becker testifies Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W

 

[FrostedGlass]

Apparently this is the one with the plea deal: 5) F2: Robbery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury Injury to someone other than a defendant

That's quite a nice "thank you"
49D31-1601-MR-001659

09/26/2022

Judgment Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W 01. 35-42-1-1(2): Murder • Dismissed 02. 35-42-1-1(2): Murder • Dismissed 03. 35-43-2-1/F1:Burglary , but serious bodily injury occurs and burglary was to a dwelling. • Dismissed 04. 35-43-4-2(a)/F6: Theft where value of property is between $750 & $50k. • Dismissed 06. 35-50-2-8(a)/: Habitual Offender • Dismissed

 

[FrostedGlass]

@Niner
This is the crime Gordon committed while he was out on bond. His co-def in that case got a dismissal (probably as part of a plea on a murder case, IMO).

49D31-1907-F6-026082

09/26/2022	Sentencing Hearing Session: 09/26/2022 9:00 AM, Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W Comment: 10:00AM Result: Commenced and concluded
09/26/2022	Hearing Journal Entry defendant in custody and present, represented by Borland; state by Busby Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W
09/26/2022	Hearing Journal Entry Ms. Becker testifies Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W
09/26/2022	Judgment Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W 01. 35-42-2-1(c)(1)/F6: Battery Resulting in Moderate Bodily Injury • Dismissed 02. 35-42-3-3(a)/F6:Criminal Confinement • Dismissed 03. 35-45-2-1(a)(1)/F6: Intimidation where threat is to commit forcible felony • Dismissed

 

[FrostedGlass]

Here's his sentence on the murder case:

09/26/2022

Sentenced Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W 5. 35-42-5-1(1)/F2: Robbery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury Injury to someone other than a defendant Confinement to Commence: 09/26/2022 Indiana Department of Correction Term: 30 Yr Jail Credit: 2,504 Days Suspended: 5 Yr Concurrent with Prior Sentence: 49G05-1512-F4-043993 Comment: Defendant to serve 25 years at the Indiana Department of Corrections, and 5 years suspended to Probation. IDOC to award good time credit in accordance with Indiana law. Credit time of 2504 days actual and 834 days earned as agreed upon by all parties. Defendant's sentence is pursuant to a set term plea. Defendant to receive substance abuse evaluation and treatment. Defendant to receive Mental Health Evaluation and Treatment. If defendant does not recieve treatment in DOC, to recieve in probation. Defendant can ask for a modification of placement ONLY in 5 calendar years (09/26/2027) as long as they have a clean conduct report. Then, defendant can ask for a review of sentence 5 years later (09/26/2032).

09/26/2022

Motion to Dismiss Filed Dismissal, Motion Filed By: State of Indiana File Stamp: 09/26/2022

 

[FrostedGlass]

Here's the sentence for what must be the burglary, etc for the house across from the Blackburn's home.

49D31-1512-F4-043993

09/26/2022	Hearing Journal Entry Ms. Becker testifies Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W
09/26/2022	Judgment Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W 02. 35-43-4-2(a)/F6: Theft where value of property is between $750 & $50k. • Dismissed 04. 35-43-4-2(a)/F6: Theft where value of property is between $750 & $50k. • Dismissed 05. 35-50-2-8(a)/: Habitual Offender • Dismissed
09/26/2022	Motion to Dismiss Filed Dismissal, Motion Filed By: State of Indiana File Stamp: 09/26/2022
09/26/2022	Sentenced Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W 1. 35-43-2-1/F4:Burglary Burglary of a dwelling Confinement to Commence: 09/26/2022 Indiana Department of Correction Term: 10 Yr Suspended: 0 Days Concurrent with Prior Sentence: count 3; 49G05-1601-MR-001659 Comment: Defendant to serve 10 years at the Indiana Department of Corrections. IDOC to award good time credit in accordance with Indiana law. Credit time of 0 days actual and 0 days earned as agreed upon by all parties. Defendant's sentence is pursuant to a set term plea. Indigent to Court Costs and Fines.
09/26/2022	Sentenced Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W 3. 35-43-2-1/F4:Burglary Burglary of a dwelling Confinement to Commence: 09/26/2022 Indiana Department of Correction Term: 10 Yr Suspended: 0 Days Concurrent with Prior Sentence: count 1; 49G05-1601-MR-001659 Comment: Defendant to serve 10 years at the Indiana Department of Corrections.

 

[FrostedGlass]

Both Watson and Gordon got basically the same sentences. Their lesser offenses are concurrent to their major ones. Gordon got 5 yrs suspended but Watson has already filed for a sentence modification. ATM, his earliest possible release date is 08/17/2037.

09/22/2022	Motion to Modify Sentence Filed motion to modify sentence Filed By: Watson, Jalen E
09/26/2022	Administrative Event Order for DOC conduct report

 

[Niner]

Both Watson and Gordon got basically the same sentences. Their lesser offenses are concurrent to their major ones. Gordon got 5 yrs suspended but Watson has already filed for a sentence modification. ATM, his earliest possible release date is 08/17/2037.

09/22/2022	Motion to Modify Sentence Filed motion to modify sentence Filed By: Watson, Jalen E
09/26/2022	Administrative Event Order for DOC conduct report

So from my calculations Gordan got 25 years with 5 years suspended. Is that what that all says?

 

[FrostedGlass]

So from my calculations Gordan got 25 years with 5 years suspended. Is that what that all says?

I think so.

 

[FrostedGlass]

A new discovery filing for Taylor's rape case; his court dates are unchanged.
49D31-1512-F1-044923

09/26/2022	Discovery Filed Discovery Compliance, Supplemental (Sex Crimes) Filed By: State of Indiana
11/15/2022	Final PreTrial Conference Session:11/15/2022 1:30 PM, Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W Comment: In person
11/21/2022	Jury Trial Session:11/21/2022 9:00 AM, Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W Comment: In person, 8:30AM, 2-3 days

This is the only date for the Hernandez murder and indecency charge:

11/15/2022

Final PreTrial Conference Session: 11/15/2022 2:41 PM, Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W

 

[Niner]

@FrostedGlass - okay on the above. I also have Taylor for sentencing on Amanda's case on 10/14/22.

 

[FrostedGlass]

@FrostedGlass - okay on the above. I also have Taylor for sentencing on Amanda's case on 10/14/22.

Thanks for asking.
Just when we think it's almost a done deal, they change dates. Putting it off for 2 more months. What is going on with this court?!

Added thought: maybe the judge wants to see how the rape trial goes before he sentences Taylor for the murder?

09/26/2022

Hearing Scheduling Activity Sentencing Hearing originally scheduled on 10/14/2022 at 1:00 PM was rescheduled to 12/02/2022 at 1:00 PM. Reason: Court's Own Motion.

12/02/2022

Sentencing Hearing Session: 12/02/2022 1:00 PM, Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W Comment: In person, 1:00PM

 

[Niner]

Thanks for asking.
Just when we think it's almost a done deal, they change dates. Putting it off for 2 more months. What is going on with this court?!

Added thought: maybe the judge wants to see how the rape trial goes before he sentences Taylor for the murder?

09/26/2022

Hearing Scheduling Activity Sentencing Hearing originally scheduled on 10/14/2022 at 1:00 PM was rescheduled to 12/02/2022 at 1:00 PM. Reason: Court's Own Motion.

12/02/2022

Sentencing Hearing Session: 12/02/2022 1:00 PM, Judicial Officer: Hawkins, Grant W Comment: In person, 1:00PM

Yes - glad I asked! Thanks for the changes. And you could be right about the rape trial.