Indiana
Requesting TV coverage of courtroom proceedings is not unprecedented in Indiana
![Requesting TV coverage of courtroom proceedings is not unprecedented in Indiana](https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/764cfa9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1920x1008%200%2036/resize/1200x630!/quality/90/?url=http://ewscripps-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com/5b/b0/d8b0e934442db4620d46f27111d4/screen-shot-2023-09-14-at-2-34-46-pm.jpg)
INDIANAPOLIS — The request to grant television camera access to proceedings involving Richard M. Allen, the man accused of killing Abby Williams, 13, and Libby German, 14, is not an unprecedented motion in Indiana.
A similar request was made during a murder trial in 1987. Attorney Timothy Bookwalter filed a motion requesting television camera access to his client’s murder trial in 1987.
That client, 20-year-old Dennis Wayne Brown, was charged with two counts of murder in the killings of Charles Hoskinson and Thomas Felts on July 7, 1986. Both men were found shot in the back of the head inside an Irvington carriage house.
Brown’s attorney argued the public had a right to witness his client’s death penalty trial.
“Under the constitution, he has a right under the Sixth Amendment to a public trial,” Bookwalter told WRTV reporter Derrik Thomas in August 1987. “What I’m saying, the time has come for that to change. The public today means television. It means that if society as a whole is going to watch the trial and protect my client’s right to a fair trial, then they need to watch.”
The judge presiding over the case, Marion County Superior Court Judge Roy Jones, spoke in favor of the request.“Anytime that we do something that brings public awareness of what occurs in a courtroom, it enhances the judicial system,” Jones said.
Nonetheless, the Indiana Supreme Court denied the request citing its longstanding ban on cameras inside Indiana courtrooms. That ban was recently lifted.
Brown was convicted of murder on both counts and sentenced to 40 years for each. According to the Indiana Department of Correction, Brown’s earliest parole date is June 10, 2033.
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Indiana
Pastor Micah Beckwith is Indiana GOP nominee for lieutenant governor, beating Mike Braun’s pick
![Pastor Micah Beckwith is Indiana GOP nominee for lieutenant governor, beating Mike Braun’s pick](https://www.wfyi.org/files/wfyi/articles/original/beckwith-supporters-bs.jpg)
Micah Beckwith won the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor by 63 votes out of more than 1,700 cast at the Indiana Republican Party state convention on June 15, 2024.
Brandon Smith/IPB News
Ultraconservative pastor Micah Beckwith scored a stunning upset Saturday to become the Indiana Republican Party’s nominee for lieutenant governor.
Beckwith defeated gubernatorial nominee Mike Braun’s pick for running mate at the state GOP convention in what Braun is calling a “bump in the road.”
Braun likened having a running mate who wasn’t his first choice to dealing with “feisty” employees or customers in his business. And he said it’s clear that he’s in charge.
“My running mate can say whatever he wants,” Braun said. “If it doesn’t make sense or it doesn’t resonate, remember: I’m going to be the governor.”
On stage in the wake of the vote, Braun welcomed Beckwith to the ticket.
“Everything you believe in, I have as well,” Braun said.
Beckwith, a self-proclaimed Christian nationalist, said he looks forward to working with Braun. He said he’s not going to be “divisive” or a “flamethrower.”
“I want to be a unifier. I want to extend an olive branch,” Beckwith said. “I want to make sure that people are heard. I think the conservative movement, the grassroots movement that I’m a part of — I believe they feel unheard.”
Beckwith built his campaign on the idea of being a check and balance to the governor. And he said the convention result further exposed divisions in the Republican Party.
READ MORE: You asked what role state party conventions play in Indiana. We’ve got answers
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Beckwith beat state Rep. Julie McGuire (R-Indianapolis) for the nomination by 891 votes to 828.
Delegates also officially nominated incumbent Todd Rokita as the GOP nominee for attorney general. He was unopposed at the convention.
Rokita took to the stage in boxing gloves and vowed to continue to be a fighter in the office.
“We have to take these gloves off, because the radicals won’t stop,” Rokita said.
Democrats will choose their nominees for attorney general and lieutenant governor next month.
Brandon is our Statehouse bureau chief. Contact him at bsmith@ipbs.org.
Indiana
BREAKING: LSU Baseball Lands Commitment From Indiana State Pitcher Luke Hayden
![BREAKING: LSU Baseball Lands Commitment From Indiana State Pitcher Luke Hayden](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_1999,h_1124,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/lsu_country/01j0emja61057engxc62.jpg)
Jay Johnson and the LSU baseball staff continue their hot streak in the NCAA Transfer Portal after adding their fourth pitcher this offseason: Indiana State’s Luke Hayden.
Hayden, a right-handed pitcher who shined for the Sycamores in 2024, is Baton Rouge bound with a chance to become a pivotal relief pitcher for the Tigers next season.
During the 2024 season, Hayden tallied 91 strikeouts in 78 innings pitched with a 3.81 ERA. The Indiana State stud adds to the Tigers’ impressive Transfer Portal haul, becoming the fifth addition in the last seven days.
Johnson and Co. have now reeled in Indiana State’s top two players from a season ago in both Hayden and slugger Luis Hernandez.
Hernandez revealed his commitment to LSU earlier in the week with the Tigers adding the electric power-hitter.
Hayden is the fifth transfer to announce his commitment to LSU.
BREAKING: Here come the Tigers… Jay Johnson and the Tigers land another Transfer Portal commitment: Luke Hayden.
The Indiana State star is Baton Rouge bound with a chance to make an impact for #LSU.
The 2024 Numbers: The Tigers are rolling. pic.twitter.com/dIwyrNbKMP — Zack Nagy (@znagy20) June 15, 2024
78 IP
3.81 ERA
91 strikeouts
47 BB
A dive into the five Transfer Portal commitments:
Chandler Dorsey: South Florida
On Monday, LSU secured its first portal commitment after South Florida relief pitcher Chandler Dorsey announced he would be taking his talents to Baton Rouge.
The right-handed relief pitcher announced on social media:
“Blessed to announce my commitment to LSU to further my academic and baseball career,” Dorsey said via Instagram. “I want to thank God, my family and coaches who helped me throughout this journey! Geaux Tigers!”
Dorsey announced his intentions to depart South Florida after two years with the program.
During the 2024 season, the prized righty went 2-1 with eight saves and a 3.60 ERA (12 ER/30.0 IP) with a 1.20 WHIP. He also racked up 41 strikeouts on the season during year two with the Bulls.
Now, he’s Baton Rouge bound as the first commitment for LSU during the offseason after seeing nine departures over the last eight days.
Luis Hernandez: Indiana State
Hernandez revealed his commitment to Johnson and Co. on Tuesday with LSU adding a key piece to the lineup for the 2025 season.
After three years with the Sycamores, Hernandez entered the portal with a chance to find a change of scenery.
Now, he’s Baton Rouge bound with Johnson finding a talented power hitter to replace the likes of Tommy White and others.
The utility slugger finished his career with Indiana State batting .315 across his three years with the program. In 578 career at-bats, Hernandez tallied 182 hits, 118 runs, 32 home runs, 120 RBIs and has drawn 48 walks.
In 2024, he pieced together his most impressive year yet. Hernandez raked in 23 home runs with a .359 batting average and 76 runs batted in.
He has the chance to be a key component to what the Tigers do in 2025. A player who has played in the infield, catcher and served as designated hitter, Hernandez is a utility piece for LSU come next season.
Zac Cowan: Wofford
The All-SoCon right-handed pitcher went 10-2 with 124 strikeouts and 29 walks in 110 innings at Wofford this spring. Cowan also boasts a 3.35 ERA after dismantling opponents during the 2024 season with the Terriers.
It’s another big-time addition to the pitching rotation for Johnson and Co. as he continues working through Transfer Portal evaluations.
Now, he brings in an ace who’s proven he can compete at the highest level.
Cowan, who was one of the most sought-after transfers in the portal, will now head to Baton Rouge with the chance to earn a starting slot alongside several prominent arms.
Cowan is the third addition for LSU this offseason, joining South Florida right-handed pitcher Chandler Dorsey and Indiana State slugger Luis Hernandez.
Deven Sheerin: Mount St. Mary’s Pitcher
Jay Johnson and the LSU baseball staff remained hot in the NCAA Transfer Portal on Friday night after adding a commitment from Mount St. Mary’s Deven Sheerin.
The electric right-handed pitcher is fresh off of a dominant first season of college baseball after dismantling opponents in year one.
Sheerin logged a 4.76 ERA in 2024 with 109 strikeouts, 32 walks, 10 HBP and 37 earned runs in 70 innings pitched. The numbers speak for themselves, but Sheerin’s arsenal pitches has proven to be what makes him so lethal.
As just a freshman, his fastball has been clocked at 98mph while hovering in the 95mph range routinely.
The addition is another impressive one for Johnson and the Tigers, but the key factor here is that Sheerin won’t be eligible for the MLB Draft until 2026, meaning he’ll be in Baton Rouge for at least two seasons.
It’s a dynamic piece for the Tigers, and now with Sheerin in the mix, LSU has now secured a trio of immediate impact pitchers for the 2025 season.
Other LSU News:
LSU Baseball: Tigers Secure Commitment From Wofford Ace Zac Cowan
BREAKING: LSU Lands Commitment From Indiana State Slugger Luis Hernandez
LSU Baseball: Jay Johnson Reacts to Paul Mainieri Being Hired By South Carolina
Join the Community:
Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and LSU Country: @LSUCountry_FN for all coverage surrounding the LSU program.
Indiana
Indiana Grown: Drift Botanicals
![Indiana Grown: Drift Botanicals](https://www.wishtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/15/BACKGROUND-Drift-Botanicals.png)
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Each and every Saturday, WISH-TV highlights a local company together with our partners at Indiana Grown.
This week, Kelly Conway, and her daughter, Iris, with Drift Botanicals join News 8 at Daybreak.
Focused on environmentally sustainable cleaning and eliminating plastic waste, Drift Botanicals offers plant-based cleaning supplies.
Kelly shares with News 8 the importance of organic cleaning and how their business started.
“I actually got started when the kids were little and I was cleaning houses,” she said. “I knew right away I wanted to make my own cleaning products because conventional products aren’t always the best. I really wanted clean ingredients, I wanted them to be safe and effective cleaners, and I wanted sustainable packaging.
All of Drift Botanical’s cleaning products come in refillable glass bottles. They have several “refill stations” for their products in central Indiana, including one on Indianapolis’ northwest side.
The Conways also share their process of growing and steam distilling their own essential oils.
“Part of really clean ingredients is we wanted to scent our products, but we didn’t want to use synthetic fragrances,” Kelly said. “So, my husband and I got to wor. He’s a great gardener, so we grow all of our own plant materials and we steam distill them into essential oils and use those to scent the products.”
They also discuss their recognition by Better Homes & Gardens as one of the best glass cleaners.
To learn more, watch the full interview above.
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