the look of luck
‘NYC 22’ isn’t just another cop show
The Colts’ draft pick is a foregone conclusion Sports, B1
TV TRUTH, INSIDE
The Elkhart Truth F r i d ay , Apri l 2 0 , 2 0 1 2 • 5 0 ¢
Pick-up games told to pack up
eTruth
W E B U I L D C O M M U N I T Y • 1 2 2 N D Y EA R , N O . 1 1 1
Truth Photos By Jennifer Shephard
Rims at the basketball courts at Weston Park have been removed before when rough games and colorful language drew complaints from neighbors and parkgoers.
Guilty verdict in Kiska murder
Tyrice Halliburton could face life in prison for the 2008 murder of 23-year-old Sheena Kiska in her Bristol apartment. Justin Leighty
jleighty@etruth.com
GOSHEN — Sheena Kiska’s family didn’t want to talk publicly Thursday evening, but they’d had two reasons for relief: The case was finally done in Kiska’s 2008 murder, with a jury finding her neighbor, Tyrice Halliburton, guilty and recommending a life sentence without parole; and police recaptured HalKiska liburton after a brief escape attempt. The escape try was an unexpected end to a significant case for the family, for Bristol police and for the Bristol community. “It’s been a long time,” Hallibursaid Marshal Mike Swallow. ton He praised his chief deputy, Mike Albin. “Mike’s done a really great job on this,” working tirelessly for four years to solve the murder of the 23-year-old mother of two. Albin said he’s not really sure what he’ll do now that the case is closed. “It’ll be different,” he said. The final step won’t come until May 17, when Elkhart Circuit Judge Terry Shewmaker decides whether to follow the Five-year-old Alissa Pletcher (left) reacts after picking a dandelion as she plays with friends Citlalli Garcia (center) and Canek Garcia at Weston Park Thursday. The children played around lunchtime as their mothers chatted at a nearby picnic table. The park features a castle-themed playground, gazebo and basketball courts, which have had the hoops removed in an effort to keep the games and adult players from dominating the park. Some players told a city councilman other parks weren’t open or safe for evening games.
Hoops are removed from park after rough play draws complaints. Stephanie Gattman
sgattman@etruth.com
ELKHART — Ongoing issues with men in their 20s and 30s playing hard-core basketball and using colorful language have led to rims being removed from Weston Park on the city’s near-west side. This is the fourth time the rims have been removed from the neighborhood park in the past 12 years, according to Karin Frey, parks superintendent. Arvis Dawson, Mayor Dick Moore’s executive assistant, said the rims are taken down for a couple of years and then put back up to see what will happen. The rims at Weston were last taken down about four years ago.
“That’s the final analysis. It’s a neighborhod park. If you’re stopping anyone in the neighborhood from enjoying ‘their park,’ something had to be done. It was done in a very quick fashion.” Elkhart City Councilman Brian Thomas, R-2nd
Neighborhood residents informed their councilman and the mayor’s office that they were uncomfortable taking their families to the park, which is located on Michigan Street at the site of the former Weston School. “It’s a problem that was there in years
Supporters defend Ind. voucher law to courts Opponents say vouchers amount to government support of religious schools. CHARLES WILSON
Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS — Striking down Indiana’s school voucher program because some schools are affiliated with churches would amount to unnecessary government interference into religion, the law’s supporters argue in court documents. Opponents led by the Indiana State Teachers Association want the Indiana Supreme Court to overturn the voucher law, which has been upheld by a lower court.
Indiana’s voucher program is the largest in the nation, with nearly 4,000 students participating. Opponents claim the program violates a state constitutional ban on government support of churches because it compels taxpayers to pay for schools that teach religion. The Indiana attorney general’s office and other groups defending the law argue in court briefs filed last week that nobody is being compelled because parents are free to send their children to any school they want — public, private or parochial. “These programs were not crePlease see VOUCHERS, A7
Advice . . . . . . . . . . D4 Classified . . . . . . C3-8 Comics . . . . . . . . . . D5 Crossword . . . . . . . C6
Extra . . . . . . . . . . . . Movies . . . . . . . . . . Obituaries . . . . . . . Opinion . . . . . . . . .
C1 D6 A6 A4
Please see GUILTY, A2
Halliburton fails in escape attempt
past, where for some reason, that park atttracts very serious basketball players,” said Councilman Brian Thomas, R-2nd, “young adults that come into the area and just kind of take over the park.” Frey agreed. “Residents that are not immediately affected by it two blocks away were saying they could not take their children there because of adult games going on,” Frey said. Neighbors felt intimidated by the large crowds, she said, and “the language is not appropriate for a park or somewhere else.” Frey said the outcome would be the same in any other park in a similar circumstance. Dawson visited the park several times and talked to the players, who were coming in from other areas of the city. “When you talk to them they are fine,” he said. “What I told them is you can stay here if you behave yourself.”
GOSHEN — After causing problems in court all afternoon, Tyrice Halliburton made a last-ditch attempt for freedom Thursday evening after jurors recommended he serve life in prison for the 2008 murder of his neighbor, Sheena Kiska. As Prosecutor Curtis Hill talked to the jury, Halliburton let out a couple of expletives, and Judge Terry Shewmaker cautioned everyone in the room to remain quiet. After that Halliburton told his loved ones, “Y’all better go home, because I’m gonna bug the (expletive) out of here,” and banged the courtroom door, breaking it. On another trip out of the courtroom,
Please see PARK, A7
Please see ESCAPE, A2
Justin Leighty
jleighty@etruth.com
Election 2012
Dem U.S. House race features Army vet, RV sector manager Tim Vandenack
tvandenack@etruth.com
The two Democrats running for the District 2 U.S. House seat are making their first bid for public office. Brendan Mullen, a U.S. Army veteran from South Bend, has the edge, judging by his stronger campaign war chest — $547,594.08 raised as of March 31. He’s also received the backing of the Indiana Democratic State Central Committee. By contrast, Dan Morrison of Elkhart, who works at an Elkhart
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . B1 Stocks . . . . . . . . . . C2 Sudoku . . . . . . . . . . C8 Television . . . . . . . . D6
58°
County recreational vehicle manufacturer, hasn’t raised any campaign funds, according to Federal Election Commission rep o r t s. He t o u t s himself as “someone who cares” in his campaign website. Mullen, who now Morrison runs a Washington D.C.-based consulting firm, has hammered on what he sees as a chummy atmosphere in Washington, D.C., and has empha-
36°
Cooler with rain and a t-storm. More weather, B5
sized his military service. Morrision has touted his business experience and cited job creation as the key issue. The two face off in the May 8 primary. The two Democratic hopefuls’ websites offer a sketch of each, mullenforindiana.com and danMullen morrisonforcongress. com, and here is a comparison of them on some key issues, culling
Please see DEMOCRAT, A7
Coming tomorrow STREET TALK: Locals sound off on the big issues for this year’s elections. Opinion, A4