McNew to plead guilty to felony battery

Friday, January 16, 2009

A Greencastle man pled guilty in Putnam County Circuit Court Thursday for his role in a June beating that severely injured another man.

Cody McNew, 19, entered a guilty plea to Class C felony battery resulting in bodily injury. Judge Matthew Headley accepted McNew's plea and set sentencing in the case for Feb. 19.

A Class C felony carries a maximum jail sentence of eight years.

McNew admitted that he took part in an assault on John Sanders, 26, of Greencastle on June 5. Sanders was attacked outside Topper's bar in the early morning hours, an affidavit of probable cause prepared by Putnam County Prosecutor's Office Investigator Charles Bollinger said.

McNew told Bollinger he grabbed Sanders and threw him to the ground after another man, Jeremy Musall, struck Sanders in the face with his elbow and fist, court documents said. The affidavit said McNew also admitted to kicking Sanders in the back two or three times.

Sanders was taken to Putnam County Hospital via ambulance after the attack, and was later transferred to Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, court records said. Doctors said "Sanders had suffered what appeared to be a brain bleed" and had "extensive cuts and bruising which would likely require reconstructive plastic surgery."

A warrant for McNew's arrest was issued on Aug. 26, and his first court appearance was on Sept. 4. At that time, bond was set at $20,000 cash only. McNew has been unable to post bond and has been in jail since his arrest.

McNew has several other charges pending against him in Putnam County, including possession of marijuana, unlawful possession or use of a legend drug and possession of paraphernalia.

On Dec. 8, Musall, 24, was sentenced to six years in the Indiana Department of Corrections with two years executed, one in jail and one on home detention.

Two other men were also charged with class C felony battery in connection with the attack on Sanders. Frank A. Roche, 18, is set to have a final pretrial conference on Jan. 29, and Jared L. Hornaday, 19, will be in court for his final pretrial conference on Feb. 5.

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  • This kids father has spent most of his life in and out of jail as well. He learned what he lived as the saying goes. He needed help about 16 years ago. As for his Mother she only took care of him when someone else would not. Hopefully he can get some help in the institution he will be sent to.

    -- Posted by dcsaiht on Fri, Jan 16, 2009, at 9:43 AM
  • he'll probly get 6 months timed served, come on judge put some jail time on these people! what i mean by jail time is prison a real prison for numerous years!

    -- Posted by gottokno on Fri, Jan 16, 2009, at 2:26 PM
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