ELKHART —
Two people charged as being accomplices in a lethal Goshen shooting in March have pleaded guilty.
Dustin Saylor and Elisa Horton, both 22-year-old Goshen residents, entered guilty pleas in Elkhart Superior Court II Monday to Class C felony counts of assisting a criminal.
Under the terms of her plea deal, Horton’s prison term will be capped at four years behind bars. Saylor’s plea agreement calls for two years in prison, two years on work release if he’s eligible, and two years on probation. All other terms of Saylor’s sentence will be left to the court’s discretion.
Saylor and Horton were arrested in connection with a shooting in the area of Indiana and Chicago avenues. John Staub, 26, 502 E. Jefferson St., was killed. David Paul Goble suffered a gunshot wound to the leg.
Following the shooting, Daniel L. Heflin, 21, 415 Noble Court, Goshen, was arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder, all Class A felonies. William Terry, 25, 622 River Ave., Goshen, was charged with conspiracy to commit murder.
In addition, prosecutors are seeking criminal gang sentence enhancements against the two.
Horton and Saylor were with Heflin and Terry the night of the shootings. According to an affidavit signed by Goshen police Detective Stephen Priem, Horton drove the vehicle transporting Heflin and Terry before and after the shooting. Saylor, a passenger in the car, reportedly heard Heflin and Terry talking about their plans.
Saylor told police that as the vehicle was heading away from the scene, “he helped to discard an additional box of bullets by handing them to Heflin, who then threw them out the window,” according to the affidavit.
Horton is scheduled to be sentenced in Superior Court II July 16, and Saylor July 30.
Heflin is set to go to trial Aug. 20 in Elkhart Circuit Court. Terry is scheduled to appear in Circuit Court for further proceedings Thursday.
According to prosecutors, a defendant doesn’t need to be a formal member of a gang for the criminal gang sentence enhancement to apply. Under state law, “criminal gang” can be used to describe three or more people who have a common scheme to commit a felony, an act that would be a felony if committed by an adult, or a battery.
Prosecutors had originally sought the gang sentence enhancement against Horton and Saylor. Ultimately, the defendants were allowed to plead guilty just to the assisting a criminal charge.
Local News
Related Photos
-
horton and saylor
Two admit guilt for roles in Goshen murder
- Local News
-
-
Stotts family has been turning heads along Ind. 119 for 33 years
The massive garden along Ind. 119 southwest of Goshen is easy to spot and has attracted many visitors in its nearly 33-year history.
-
SLIDESHOW: Pets of the Week
Featured pets available for adoption at the Humane Society of Elkhart County.
-
Goshen firefighter promoted
Shane McKerchie recently completed his probationary year at the Goshen Fire Department.
-
No major progress for liquor legislation
INDIANAPOLIS — When it comes to alcohol, the 2013 legislative session may be marked more by what it didn’t do to boost booze sales than what it did.
-
NWMS leaders receive music honors
WAKARUSA — For NorthWood Middle School’s departing principal, George Roelandts, his career in education is approaching a coda.
-
GMS science teacher combines love of Elkhart River, music for festival
GOSHEN – Two of Jake Miller’s passions converged as naturally as the Elkhart River does with the St. Joseph.
-
City closer to acquiring former Goshen Inn property
Elkhart County Commissioners Monday took the next step in a process that could result in Goshen officials taking possession of the old Holiday Inn property on Goshen’s south side. The move follows a similar approval by the Goshen Board of Public Works and Safety May 6.
-
You should know: Tom Yoder
GOSHEN — Tom Yoder doesn’t mind getting dirty when he’s pursuing one of his favorite interests — gardening.
-
Technology speeds disaster alerts
Caitria O’Neill remembers her reaction to hearing tornado warnings on June 1, 2011. She went to the grocery store, she said, “because I live in Massachusetts, and we don’t get tornadoes.”
-
Here today and gone tomorrow
Word of changes at Navistar wasn’t entirely unexpected. More than 500 jobs leaving Wakarusa? That information was a surprise.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
