SYRACUSE — The young lives of Josh Knisley and Tara Thornburg were lost three years ago today, Monday, Feb. 19, in Syracuse. The pair were victims of a double shooting. Friends of the two gathered Saturday to place light blue ribbons on all lampposts throughout Syracuse, in remembrance of their lives and untimely deaths. The …read more.

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Supreme Court has denied Brandon Woody’s petition to transfer his appeal to that court. The decision was issued Tuesday, Oct. 24, by Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta H. Rush. Joseph Sobek, counsel for Woody, filed a petition to transfer the appeal Aug. 24, after the Indiana Court of Appeals denied the …read more.

INDIANAPOLIS — An appeal by Brandon Woody asking for his conviction to be overturned and a new trial was denied by the Court of Appeals of Indiana. The ruling was issued Wednesday, July 26. It is speculated the matter will now be filed in the Indiana Supreme Court. Woody is serving 120 years for the …read more.

INDIANAPOLIS  — An appeal by Brandon Thomas Woody, 25, Syracuse, is awaiting ruling by the Indiana Court of Appeals. Briefs on behalf of Woody and by the state have been filed with the court. Woody is appealing his murder conviction of the Feb. 19, 2015, deaths of Tara Thornburg and Josh Knisley, Woody was found …read more.

INDIANAPOLIS — Kyle David DeHart, 24, Syracuse, was found guilty by a jury Oct. 6, 2016, for the murders of Tara Thornburg and Josh Knisley Feb. 19, 2015. He was sentenced 20 days later to 110 years on two counts of murder and one year for obstruction of justice. An appeal of his conviction was …read more.

WARSAW — Kosciusko County Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed has granted a motion to dismiss the charge of assisting a criminal against Joan Marie DeHart, 51, formerly of Syracuse. The charge stemmed from DeHart allegedly assisting Brandon Woody following the murder of Tara Thornburg and Josh Knisley Feb. 19, 2015, in Syracuse.

SYRACUSE — Thomas Glen Hursey was handed a consecutive sentence totaling 27 1/2 years for his part in the murders of Joshua Knisley and Tara Thornburg, Feb. 19, 2015, in Syracuse. He will serve a total of 20 years, at the Indiana Department of Corrections with the remaining 7 1/2 years on formal probation.

WARSAW — One of four pending cases against Kyle DeHart, Syracuse, has been dismissed by the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office. An order dismissing the charges, of corrupt business influence, a level 5 felony and conspiracy to commit dealing in a synthetic drug or synthetic drug look-a-like substance, filed in August 2014, has been dismissed. The …read more.

INDIANAPOLIS — Direct appeals by Brandon Thomas Woody and Kyle David DeHart have been filed with the Indiana Court of Appeals. Both cases were e-filed by their respective attorneys Nov. 16. Briefs detailing the cause for appeal are not yet available. Both Joe Sobek, counsel for DeHart and Larry Hansen, counsel for Woody, filed their …read more.

WARSAW — Notice of an appeal from the Judgment of conviction and order of commitment has been filed in Kosciusko Circuit Court by Joseph A. Sobek, attorney for Brandon Thomas Woody. The appeal focuses on the sentence handed down Oct. 26, in Kosciusko Circuit Court.

WARSAW — “Today’s sentencing was very appropriate for the actions on Feb. 19, 2015,” stated Dan Hampton, Kosciusko County Prosecutor. Hampton held a brief press conference following the sentencing of Brandon Thomas Woody and Kyle David DeHart in the murders of Tara Lynn Thornburg and Josh Randall Knisley. “Their actions were heinous,” he referenced Kosciusko …read more.

WARSAW — The sentencing of Kyle David DeHart,, 24, and Brandon Thomas Woody 24, both of Syracuse, will take place in Kosciusko Circuit Court Wednesday morning. DeHart is scheduled for sentencing at 10 a.m. and sentencing for Woody is set for 11 a.m. DeHart faces a fixed term of between 45 and 65 years on …read more.

WARSAW — Brandon Thomas Woody was found guilty on two counts of murder. Kyle David DeHart was found guilty on two counts of murder and guilty on a charge of obstruction of justice. The two will be sentenced on these charges at a date to be announced. Jurors deliberated just over seven hours before the …read more.

WARSAW — Scott DeHart, father of defendant Kyle DeHart, was the lone witness for either of the defendants in what appears to be the final day in trial of the accused murders of Tara Thornburg and Josh Knisley on Feb. 19, 2015. The morning session was underway by 8:29 a.m. with Larry Hansen, counsel for …read more.

WARSAW — Attendance in the Kosciusko Circuit Court room dwindled as the trial of Brandon Woody and Kyle DeHart continues for the third day. The two are on trial for the Feb. 19, 2015, murders of Tara Thornburg and Josh Knisley. Family members of the two victims, however, and a few family members and friends …read more.

WARSAW — Testimony Tuesday afternoon in the murder trial of Brandon Thomas Woody and Kyle David DeHart for the deaths of Tara Thornburg and Josh Knisley, focused around investigators in the case and the search for evidence. The cross examination by attorneys for the defendants questioned Syracuse Police Officer Joe Denton on why some of …read more.

WARSAW — The family of both victims endured additional emotional testimony from witnesses, this morning, Tuesday, Oct. 4. This time possibly the most devastating thus far. Three witnesses took the stand in the second day of the trial of Brandon Woody and Kyle DeHart for the murders of Tara Thornburg and Josh Knisley. Syracuse Police …read more.

WARSAW — Court adjourned  at 3:20 p.m. today, Monday, Oct. 3, in the murder trial of Brandon Woody and Kyle DeHart following the cross examination of Thomas Hursey, considered to be the state’s key witness, and brief testimony from the victims mothers — Rachel Thornburg, mother of Tara Thornburg, and Rhonda Bickel, mother of Josh …read more.

WARSAW — It as an emotional morning for the families of Tara Thornburg and Josh Knisley in the first day of trial against Brandon Woody and Kyle DeHart. An audio recording and body camera were entered as exhibits and heard before the court and the 62 individuals filling the courtroom.

WARSAW — The selection of a 12-member jury and three alternates, was slated to take two days, but was completed by 4 p.m. today, Thursday, Sept. 29, in the murder trial of Brandon T. Woody and Kyle D. DeHart. All jurors came from the first 40 preliminary jurors called. All other potential jurors were released. …read more.

WARSAW — Four more jurors were seated following the second round of jury selection in the murder trial of Brandon T. Woody and Kyle D. DeHart, accused of murdering Tara Thornburg and Josh Knisley on Feb. 19, 2015. The latest selection brings the juror count to 10, with two more jurors and three alternates yet …read more.

WARSAW — After close to two hours of voir dire (questioning) in the selection of jurors for the murder trial of Brandon Thomas Woody and Kyle David DeHart, six individuals have been selected to serve with seven being released. Woody and DeHart are being tried in the murder on Feb. 19, 2015, of Tara Thornburg …read more.

WARSAW — Nineteen months and 10 days after the murder of Tara Thornburg and Josh Knisley at a Main Street residence in Syracuse, two of the three accused will stand trial. The joint murder trial of Brandon Thomas Woody, 24, and Kyle David DeHart, 24, both of Syracuse, is scheduled to begin Thursday, Sept. 29, …read more.

WARSAW — A pretrial conference of attorneys for Brandon Thomas Woody and Kyle David DeHart was held with Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed this morning, Thursday, April 28 and a new trial date set. No date has been set for the separate trial of Thomas Glen Hursey. The three have been charged with the …read more.

WARSAW — The seven-day murder trial of Brandon Thomas Woody, Kyle David DeHart and Thomas Glen Hursey has been continued according to an order by Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed. The order was issued early this afternoon, Monday, April 25. Leading up to the continuance, the case has had a few twists. The three …read more.

WARSAW — It will be at least 10 days before Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed makes a decision on a change of venue request in the trial of Brandon Thomas Woody for murder. The defense team will additionally make a decision by Friday to withdraw its motion for a speedy trial or seek the …read more.

WARSAW — For the sixth time, a hearing on the motion for change of venue and motions in limine for Brandon T. Woody, Syracuse, charged with murder, has been continued. The date of Dec. 10, has been vacated and a new date set for 1:15 p.m. Jan. 5. The motion to reschedule the hearing was …read more.

WARSAW — A new date to hear arguments for a change of venue and motions in limine has been set.

WARSAW — A seven-day 12-member jury trial, starting at 8 a.m. April 28 and continuing through May 6, has been put on the court calendar for Brandon Woody and Kyle DeHart on two counts of murder each. The trial will be held, at this time, in Kosciusko County Circuit Court.

WARSAW — Things moved quickly after the deaths of Tara Thornburg and Joshua Knisley on Feb. 19. Five individuals were arrested in less than a month and initial hearings were held. But since then, little has been reported. The cases are not forgotten. The wheels of justice are in motion. Motions filed and pre-trial conferences …read more.

WARSAW — The trial of Brandon Thomas Woody on the charge of murder was scheduled to begin Monday, Aug. 17. That date has been cancelled.

At a pretrial conference held on June 8, Brandon Woody requested the Kosciusko County Court schedule a hearing on the verified motion for a change of venue, which was filed on March 26.

Charges of burglary resulting in bodily injury and battery by means of a deadly weapon filed against Brandon Woody, Woody, 23, Syracuse, and Kyle D. DeHart, 22, Syracuse, who are both still incarcerated in the Kosciusko County Jail, are on hold, in Kosciusko Superior Court I. A hearing for a change of venue in the …read more.

Brandon Thomas Woody A five-day jury trial has been set to start at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 17 in Kosciusko County Circuit Court against Brandon T. Woody. A pre-trial conference was held Monday afternoon in the chambers of Judge Michael Reed, at which time the court set the date for the trial. No date has been …read more.

A notice of an alibi defense was filed late last week in the murder of Tara Thornburg and Josh Knisley. The notice was filed by Scott J. Lennox, attorney for defendant, Brandon T. Woody. The document states the defense is providing notice of the intention to retain the option to offer alibi as a defense. …read more.

Today, Brandon Woody’s attorney, Scott Lennox, filed a motion for a change of venue for Woody’s trial regarding the Feb. 19 murder of Tara Thornburg and Joshua Knisley with the Kosciusko County Court. In the court documents, Lennox cites the following reasons for the request: Public hostility against Woody Public outrage over the offense Prejudicial …read more.

In 2010, Brandon T. Woody was sentenced on eight charges followed by a probation he violated in September 2013. A bond revocation hearing was held this morning in Kosciusko Superior Court 1, that revoked the original $5,000 surety bond. The request, made by Ace Bail Bonds who was the bond holder in that case, was granted …read more.

(Photo by Chelsea Los) Officers with the Drug Task Force, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department and county detective department are continuing their investigation into the Feb. 19 murders of Tara Thornburg and Joshua Knisley. That investigation has taken officers to the area of CR 300E and Rookstool Road, north of Dewart Lake, where officers have been …read more.

Thomas Glen Hursey Kosciusko County and Syracuse officers have charged a fifth subject in connection to the Feb. 19 murder of two Syracuse residents. Thomas Glen Hursey, 27, 677 Walter Way Court, Warsaw, has been arrested on two counts of murder, both A felony charges; aiding, inducing or causing robbery with serious bodily injury, a …read more.

[weaver_youtube a-Z4oYmoVFw rel=0]   Kyle David DeHart appeared in Kosciusko Circuit Court wearing the black and white jail jumpsuit with a grey sweatshirt underneath. Like Brandon Woody, DeHart was in a belly band connecting to handcuffs and ankle cuffs. Kyle DeHart DeHart has been charged with two counts of felony murder, one charge each for …read more.

Ashlyn Nicole Shepard Further details have been released regarding a Mishawaka woman’s involvement in the grisly murder of a young Syracuse couple Thursday, Feb. 19. Ashlyn Nicole Shepard, 21, was arrested at approximately 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, and preliminarily charged with obstruction of justice, a level 6 felony, in connection with the murder of …read more.

Ashlyn Nicole Shepard Ashlyn Nicole Shepard, 21, Mishawaka, was arrested around 6:30 tonight and preliminarily charged with obstruction of justice, a level 6 felony, in connection with the murder of Tara Thornburg and Joshua Knisley. Shepard was the girl friend of Kyle Dehart. Dehart was reportedly at her residence when he was arrested on Feb. …read more.

Kyle DeHart Kyle David DeHart, 23, 11136 N. CR 450E, Syracuse, has been preliminarily charged with two counts of murder and obstruction of justice. There is no bond. The charges stem from the early morning Feb. 19 murder of Tara Thornburg and Josh Knisley. The latest charges against DeHart were filed Friday in Kosciusko County …read more.

Brandon Thomas Woody The Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office has just released a probable cause affidavit regarding the Feb. 19 shooting in Syracuse. As a result of the shooting, Tara Thornburg and Josh Knisley died from gunshot wounds, and Brandon Thomas Woody, 22, 605 W. North St., Syracuse, was arrested. Woody was taken into custody on …read more.

Brandon Thomas Woody UPDATE: Since his initial hearing Brandon Woody has filed a letter with the court asking for a public defender. Scott Lennox has been appointed. It had to take courage for Rhonda Bickel and her husband, Garry Bickel, to walk into Kosciusko County Circuit Court and see the person charged with murder of …read more.

Many have been asking the question why Brandon Woody, who has been in trouble with the law numerous times, was allowed to walk the streets? Why wasn’t his bond for offenses been higher or even revoked? The answers appear to be within Indiana Code 35-38-8-4 and IC 35-38-8-5 (Amount of bail; order; endorsement; facts taken into account …read more.

Kosciusko County Prosecutor Dan Hampton filed a motion today in Kosciusko County Circuit Court to substitute the second charge against Brandon Thomas Woody from attempted murder to murder. Woody, 23, 605 W. North St., Syracuse, was initially charged Thursday afternoon with murder and attempted murder, following a double shooting earlier that day in Syracuse. Joshua …read more.

Brandon Thomas Woody, 22, 605 W. North St., Syracuse, was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail at 4:42 p.m. Thursday, by Indiana State Police. His arrest was made after information was provided by citizens throughout the community being channeled to officers. Woody was a person of interest in the shooting of Tara Thornburg, 23, 205 …read more.

John and Lacey Woodiel fell asleep a little after midnight on Wednesday night. When they woke around 6 a.m. Thursday morning, they didn’t bother to look out their windows. It was a neighbor’s Facebook post that had them questioning what on earth had happened on Main Street, Syracuse. The Woodiel’s have three children, Josie, Garrett …read more.

Brandon Thomas Woody, 22, 605 W. North St., Syracuse, was taken into custody by law enforcement officials this afternoon, according to Syracuse Police Chief Tony Ciriello. Woody is a suspect allegedly involved in the double shooting incident and murder this morning in Syracuse. Woody currently has two additional preliminary warrants for his arrest, which were issued: murder …read more.

[weaver_youtube vF1IiOCaCc0 rel=0] UPDATE: Syracuse Police Department has released the name of this morning’s male shooting victim. Joshua Randall Knisley, 19, Syracuse, was pronounced dead at the scene by Kosciusko County Coroner Michael Wilson. An autopsy at the Northeast Indiana Forensic Center is still scheduled for later today. Tara Thornburg and Joshua Knisley. (Picture courtesy of …read more.

Kyle D. DeHart Brandon T Woody Two men connected with a home invasion on April 14 in Syracuse are today behind bars. (See related story) Kyle DeHart, 21, CR 450 East, Syracuse, and Brandon Woody, 21, currently residing in Wawaka, but formerly of Syracuse, were arrested today on charges of burglary resulting in bodily injury, …read more.