Court dates set for Seketa

Saturday, July 11, 2009

By JAMIE BARRAND, Editor

An evidentiary hearing for a Greencastle man accused of violating his probation has been set for Nov. 6 -- the same day the accused is to appear for bench trials in two other causes.

Stephen E. Seketa, 29, served prison time in connection with a 2003 incident at the Putnam County Jail in which he was convicted of beating and injuring another inmate so badly that the man's kidney had to be removed. Seketa was convicted of Class B felonies aggravated battery and conspiracy to commit aggravated battery on Feb. 12, 2004.

Seketa's 2003 sentence was for 20 years on each count, with 10 years executed. With sentence modifications and good time credit, he was released from prison on Sept. 20, 2007 and placed on probation in Putnam County.

Seketa was arrested for a Class C misdemeanor operating while intoxicated on Nov. 8, 2008. In court two days later, Seketa denied violating his probation and was released from jail after posting 10 percent of a $15,000 bond.

In March, Seketa was cited for Class A misdemeanor driving while suspended. At an initial hearing in Putnam County Superior Court on May 1, Seketa again denied violating his probation. Judge Denny Bridges allowed Seketa to remain free on the previously posed bond on the condition that Seketa refrain from driving, court records said.

The hearing on the alleged probation violations will immediately follow the trials for the misdemeanor charges.

Any part of the sentence Seketa did not serve could be reinstated if it is found that he violated his probation.

Seketa's criminal history in Putnam County also includes a Class C felony battery conviction in December 2003; a Class A misdemeanor conversion conviction in July 2004; and various traffic violations.

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Wow so all you have to say is you didnt do it or deny A violation of probation and they will let you go.. that is cool. I thought all criminals say they didnt do it. I can see the violation for the dui but not so much for the driving while suspended because that is just a cop jacking up a traffic infraction.

-- Posted by Oh My Goodness on Sat, Jul 11, 2009, at 7:17 AM
There were two other men involved in the battery case. The victim testified that Mr. Seketa only hit him one or two times from the front and that the other two inmates repeatedly kicked him in the lower back while he was down and Seketa make them quit. Anyone can see that it had to be the repeated kicking that would cause such an injury and not just one or two hits frontal. He was still wrong to assault the man, but I don't agree that he caused him to loose a kidney. I think that Seketa has made some really bad choices and needs to get his act together, but is basically a good guy.

-- Posted by CASWICCA on Sat, Jul 11, 2009, at 12:49 PM
When is violence ever ok? Come on people, quit defending him. The law is the law!

-- Posted by nikkilpn on Sat, Jul 11, 2009, at 6:07 PM
Violence is o.k. the same time getting a DUI is o.k.....NEVER!

-- Posted by mad-mom on Sat, Jul 11, 2009, at 10:03 PM

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