Hoover released from jail early

Friday, December 17, 2010

GREENCASTLE -- A Greencastle man convicted in 2008 of Class B felony dealing in a schedule II controlled substance and Class C felony contributing to the delinquency of a minor and sentenced to 13 years has been released from jail.

Scotty B. Hoover, 26, was convicted in connection with the December 2007 death of 17-year-old Greencastle High School senior Dietrich Jackson.

"The entire Hoover family and I are extremely pleased by and profoundly grateful for the judge's decision," said Michael Van Treese, Hoover's attorney.

Hoover has spent portions of his sentence at the Indiana Department of Correction, Putnam County Jail and the Indiana State Farm.

According to court documents, Hoover was made a trustee at the jail. He was never reprimanded at any facility and "did not engage in any conduct while in the custody of the Department of Correction, at any location, which was less than exemplary," court records said.

Court records also indicated that Hoover has completed phases of alcohol and drug treatment programs, and that he "has shown great and continuing remorse for his crimes, which resulted in the death of a minor child."

Including the time he spent in jail before his conviction and sentencing, Hoover had spent nearly three years behind bars -- which, with good time credit, would amount to an executed sentence of close to six years.

Van Treese filed the petition to modify Hoover's sentence in mid-October. A hearing was held on the matter on Dec. 2, and Judge Matthew Headley granted the petition and ordered Hoover released on Wednesday.

At the Dec. 2 hearing, Hoover said he could work for his father's painting business, and that he was considering relocating to Jacksonville, Fla. to work with his sister's husband in his landscaping business.

Charity Pankratz, Jackson's grandmother, told Headley she believed Hoover had been in jail for long enough. Pankratz and Jackson's mother, Treva Jackson, testified at Hoover's sentencing in 2008 and requested leniency.

Treva Jackson had also filed letters with the court, asking that Hoover be released from jail.

The state did not take a position on the petition. Hoover will remain on probation for the rest of his sentence. He was also ordered to submit to random drug testing. Attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings at least once a week and get a job.

Dietrich Jackson died after overdosing on prescription drugs. Hoover provided some of the drugs -- Xanax and oxymorphone -- that led to the teen's death.

Court records said Hoover crushed pills so Jackson could snort them.

Putnam County Coroner Thomas Miller said the oxymorphone, which is six to eight times more potent than morphine, was likely the cause of Jackson's death.

Hoover received 13 years for the Class B felony and 5 years for the Class C, with the two to run concurrently. He had credit for 341 days he served at Putnam County Jail before he was sentenced.

Headley sentenced Hoover to 13 years with nine executed in prison, two years on probation and two on home electronic detention.

The state recommended the maximum sentence for Hoover -- 28 years.

At his sentencing, Hoover apologized to Jackson's family, and told the court that he had considered the boy a friend.

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  • party on scotty!!!

    -- Posted by tru story on Fri, Dec 17, 2010, at 8:30 AM
  • I've known this young man a long time,he's always been a nice quiet man,I hope he uses this oppertunity to get his life in order,good luck Scotty.

    -- Posted by obeone on Fri, Dec 17, 2010, at 9:08 AM
  • That's exactly what he needs to do, i.e. "party on." You're an idiot tru story.

    -- Posted by OverIt on Fri, Dec 17, 2010, at 10:36 AM
  • "nice quiet man."

    Drug Dealer.

    Start placing bets now on how long it will take him to return to jail.

    -- Posted by ProblemTransmission on Fri, Dec 17, 2010, at 12:49 PM
  • It is so great to hear that this man gets out of jail to start his life over while a 17 year died at the hands of the one whose set free. Hmmmmm....that is something to ponder.....so, you're saying...if you have exemplory behavior and you murder someone...you too should be able to get out of jail before your sentence is up....GREAT! What a bunch of retards we have in our judicial system!!!!!!!!

    -- Posted by clgruener on Fri, Dec 17, 2010, at 1:34 PM
  • You are right the 17 year old wasn't forced to take the pills BUT...the Idiot 26 year old should have known better...you know be a mentor...teach right from wrong, that sort of thing. He needs to be held accountable and do the time that was ordered by the judge!!!! But then again we are dealing with Putnam County Retards!!!!!!!!!! I am SOOOOOO thankful I don't live in that god forsaken community!!!!!!

    -- Posted by clgruener on Fri, Dec 17, 2010, at 4:18 PM
  • "Charity Pankratz, Jackson's grandmother, told Headley she believed Hoover had been in jail for long enough. Pankratz and Jackson's mother, Treva Jackson, testified at Hoover's sentencing in 2008 and requested leniency.Treva Jackson had also filed letters with the court, asking that Hoover be released from jail"

    ProblemTransmission & clgruener- I am sure you did not mean to offend Dietrich's family. Maybe you should keep your opinions to yourself

    -- Posted by jam on Fri, Dec 17, 2010, at 7:03 PM
  • for you people out there that think it is wrong that he is out of jail, you are just blowing off at the mouth at something you know nothing about. for one he didnt sell any drugs to him. Another is scott is a wonderful person. I personally am a recovering addict and alcoholic and if you have never been there keep your mouth shut. a mistake happened and our elected officials thought he did his time. Which i agree and so did the mom of this boy. Scott is on his way to becoming the person we all know and love. If you dont like this then maybe you better take a look at your life. I know personally scott feels much remorse for what happened but everyone forgets about the guy who bought Mr. Jackson alcohol before he met up with scott and this happened. Yes it is terrible situation, but this is what can happen in the use of drugs and alcohol. Keep being yourself scottie we who know you well know that you are a good person and the courts did the right thing. God be with you forever.

    -- Posted by sampsonight on Fri, Dec 17, 2010, at 10:01 PM
  • ProblemTransmission-my bet is that he won't- what are your odds? He's done far than enough time for a crime he did not commit.

    -- Posted by '74tiger on Sat, Dec 18, 2010, at 8:58 PM
  • who cares about any of these idiots? All of 'em to include this 17-year old fool. I don't

    -- Posted by GRNT on Mon, Dec 20, 2010, at 7:58 AM
  • I would rather see a sermon than hear one any day. I am witness to a wonderful living sermon in the foregiveness by the boy's family. Can I do any less?

    -- Posted by et on Mon, Dec 20, 2010, at 10:15 AM
  • Are you kidding me?

    You can kill people in cold blood and be released from jail.

    So if you are a "nice" murderer, you can be released.

    Putnam county is the most retarded community...

    full of the most stupid individuals....

    -- Posted by BlackBarbie22 on Tue, Dec 21, 2010, at 10:53 AM
  • I don't know Scott Hoover and I'm sure from his testimony he had a had in all this, HOWEVER Dietrich Jackson willfully took the drugs and his so called friends drove him around till he passed out and then instead of getting help took him and dumped him to die. Eighteen seems to be everyone's magic age of being all knowing and some of Dietrich's so called friends who dumped him to die were 18, Hmmmm why was Scott the only one in jail? Also if you knew who these so called friends were you would have seen their names repeatedly for drugs, booze and parole violations while Scott was sitting in jail. In short Scott has did exactly what the law has required so just leave him alone. And clgurener FYI I'm gald someone like you doesn't live in Putnam County.

    -- Posted by Trying hard on Tue, Dec 21, 2010, at 1:43 PM
  • @ almost retired

    Yes this is true...

    there were several persons deseving to have jail time... but instead just like this worthless piece of trash were slapped on the wrist

    oh putnam county.... so stupid

    -- Posted by BlackBarbie22 on Tue, Dec 21, 2010, at 3:49 PM
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