Terry Horton’s sentencing as an accomplice in a Gary station murder was delayed Wednesday after his lawyer Gojko Kasich asked for more time to go over a presentence investigation report.
His sentencing is reset for April 24 before Judge Samuel Cappas.
Horton, now 26, signed a plea agreement in December 2020 to assisting a criminal, a Level 5 felony. His co-defendant and half-brother Aaron Sawyer, the shooter, was convicted last month.
Horton admitted he drove Sawyer on May 31, 2020, from the Clark gas station, 2725 W. 5th Avenue in Gary, after the man fatally shot Dorell Townsend inside.
On Wednesday, Horton’s mother Latasha Horton testified on his behalf, saying he was a “good kid” despite the “trouble” he got into with the case. He had “matured” since he was jailed about two years ago and his temper had mellowed.
Horton faces up to three years in prison in the case. Deputy Prosecutor Kasey Dafoe is representing the state.
He is also charged in an unrelated murder.
Horton was charged in May 2022 with murder and attempted murder after allegedly opening fire on a minivan, killing a man and wounding a baby inside.
A woman told police Nehemiah Martin, 25, was riding in her minivan on May 7, 2022, headed east on 17th Avenue in Gary when a Chevrolet Malibu pulled up on the right side around 6 p.m. and a young man opened fire.
Martin was killed and his son, 17 months, was shot in the right arm, records show. Two other children in the van were not physically hurt.
mcolias@post-trib.com
