MURDER OF SUSAN BOWSHER - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

The murder trial of Joseph L. Trueblood in the deaths of two children is scheduled for Oct 31 – 5th date – held in county jail since Aug 16.  Judge Ron Melichar set aside two weeks for the Tippecanoe Circuit court trial. Trueblood, 31, of 312 S Fifth St, was charge in August with the shoot deaths of Susan Bowsher, 22 and her two children, ages 1 and 2 on Aug 15.  Death penalty for each death.  The bodies of the victims all three were shot in the head found Aug 18 in a shallow pit in a wood area in eastern Fountain County about a mile from Tippecanoe line.  Pleaded guilt to murder Bowsher.  Testified he shot Bowsher at her request after she already shot herself twice.  Said the children already were dead but he didn’t reveal how they died.  Won’t be sentenced for the mother’s death until a jury decides on the children’s murder cases.  The Oct trial date resulted from transfer of the case from Super Court to Circuit in April. John Meyers Tippecanoe County prosecutor said he transferred the case to lighten Superior Court’s caseload.  4 previous dates rescheduled because George Wilder, (Tipp Public Defender) Trueblood’s lawyer needed more time to prepare.  A sequestered jury will hear the case in two parts.  First considering whether he is guilty or innocent of murdering the children.  If convicted the jury will decide whether to recommend the death penalty for all three homicides. Judge Melichar has the option of accepting or rejecting the jury’s recommendation.  State law allows the death penalty only in certain cases including multiple murders and the murder of children.  (RIP little ones) – in the Dec 21, 1989 Journal and Courier new lawyers (Thomas O’Brien and Michael O’Reilly) said they have found much new evidence and should be allowed to present the best possible defense for Trueblood.  John Meyers, prosecutor argued there was no new evidence and Trueblood is just trying to beat the charges.  Jury trial for deaths of the children is scheduled for Feb 13.  --- transcribed by  kbz