Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
(BEDFORD) - 43-year-old Merle Moore, of Bedford, agreed to plead guilty to a charge of child molesting and was sentenced to 18 years in prison by Lawrence Superior Court II Judge William Sleva.
Six years of that sentence was suspended and Moore was given 82 days of credit. With good time, Moore could be released in six years.
Upon his release Sleva ordered Moore serve six years on supervised probation.
Moore was arrested after the girl called 911 on July 27, 2010 to report Moore had touched her under her shirt and down her pants.
According to a probable cause affidavit the girl was taken to Indiana University Health Bedford Hospital where she was examined and interviewed by a nurse and described to the nurse where and how Moore touched her.
In October 2011 a mistrial was granted after testimony from a witness for the state could have tainted the jury.
Judge William Sleva granted the defenses' motion for the mistrial, saying he had no other option.
Sleva said that "The state and defendant are entitled to a fair trail. If either party feels they will not be given that, they can request a mistrial. In this incident, I felt it was the right thing to do."
Moore was represented by public defenders John Plummer III and John Plummer Jr., Prosecutor Michelle Woodward and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Tim Sledd presented the case for the state.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.