Court dates set for Seketa
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.