Portage murder defendant released on bond after trial delay
A Gary man charged with murder after a fatal shooting in late April over a drug deal in Portage was released from jail on his own recognizance Wednesday after his trial was postponed.
Montrell McLaurin Jr., 20, asked for an early trial and was set to go to trial Sept. 30 in Porter Superior Court but according to court filings, prosecutors filed a motion to continue the trial over McLaurin’s objections because of difficulty in maintaining contact with a key prosecutorial witness who lives out of state.
Under the state’s rules of criminal procedure, according to the court filing, when a defendant requests a speedy trial and the state requests a continuance, the defendant is entitled to release.
McLaurin is accused of murdering 19-year-old Darion Anderson in the 5300 block of Aspen Avenue in Portage in the early hours of April 29. He is charged murder, murder in perpetration of a robbery and attempted robbery. Prosecutors have requested a firearms enhancement for the charges.
McLaurin has pleaded not guilty.
He is scheduled for a status hearing at 10 a.m. on Oct. 31. Jury selection in his trial is slated to begin at 9 a.m. on Jan. 6; the court has allotted five days for his trial.
Defendant in Portage arson, murder remains in jail without bond
Jesse Chabes, 51, of Gary, charged with felony counts of murder, murder in perpetration of arson, arson and intimidation, will remain in Porter County Jail without bond, per a Tuesday court hearing in Porter Superior Court.
Chabes is charged in the death of Maria Leal, 87, who died after a fire was set in her Portage apartment. Chabes, according to court records, was dating Leal’s daughter, who lived with Leal, and had threatened her before the fire was set.
Leal’s death was from carbon monoxide asphyxiation secondary to arson, and Porter County Coroner Cyndi Dykes ruled Leal’s death a homicide.
Chabes has pleaded not guilty.
The fire was reported shortly after midnight on Sept. 16 at Swanson Court Apartments in the 3300 block of Willowdale Court.
During Chabes’ initial hearing, a no contact order was issued on behalf of his ex-girlfriend. He is scheduled for a status hearing about legal representation at 9 a.m. on Oct. 22.
