Bledsoe to enter change of plea
GREENCASTLE -- The trial of a Reelsville man accused in the shooting death of his wife has been called off.
Jeremy R. Bledsoe, 32, is charged with felony murder in connection with the Jan. 13, 2010 shooting death of his wife Kathryne, 31. Bledsoe was set to go to trial Feb. 16.
However, Bledsoe's court-appointed attorney, Sidney Tongret, requested a change of plea hearing, which has been slated for March 3.
Putnam County Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter said he didn't know what led Tongret to make the request, calling it a "one-sided affair."
"There has been no plea offered, and there won't be," he said.
If Bledsoe is convicted, he could be sentenced to a maximum of 65 years in prison. Bookwalter said Bledsoe did not meet the criteria necessary to be sentenced to death.
The minimum sentence for felony murder is 45 years.
Kathryne Bledsoe was shot dead in the bathroom of her Reelsville home.
The cause of death was listed in court documents as a single gunshot wound to the head.
The Bledsoes, who had been married for 10 years, had lived in Reelsville for about two years at the time of the shooting. They shared three children -- one elementary-aged and two toddlers. The two younger children were at home when the shooting occurred.
Kathryne Bledsoe's family members said Kathryne was planning to file for divorce.
Jeremy Bledsoe's grandmother, Ava Bledsoe, also lived at the home, and it was she who reported the shooting.
Eyewitnesses told police Jeremy Bledsoe fled the home right after the shooting.
He remained at large for 12 hours before being apprehended without incident in the Cunot area.
On the state's recommendation, Bledsoe has been held without bond at the Putnam County Jail since his arrest.
Bledsoe has a criminal history of mostly minor offenses, such as public intoxication, illegal consumption of alcohol, resisting law enforcement, driving while intoxicated and driving while suspended.
He had also faced charges of intimidation and battery, but those were dropped.