Murder trial is moved to fall

The trial for one of the three women charged with the murder of a Portland man has been moved.

On Tuesday, Jay Circuit Court Judge Brian Hutchison moved the final pretrial conference and trial dates for Esther J. Stephen of Portland after receiving a motion to do so from her attorney.

The trial, originally slated for late June, is now set for Sept. 29 through Oct. 2. The final pretrial hearing will be Aug. 31.

Stephen is charged with the Jan. 12 murder of Shea Briar. Trials for Shelby Hiestand, rural Portland, and Hannah Knapke, Fort Recovery, who are also charged with his murder, are scheduled for July.

Police arrested Stephen and Hiestand two days after Briar was found early Jan. 12 on the county road 125 West bridge over Loblolly Creek, just south of county road 850 South. Knapke was arrested Jan. 22.

Probable cause affidavits filed in connection with the case say Stephen and Hiestand admitted to plotting to kill Briar over a custody dispute. Stephen and Briar shared a child.

The affidavits say the three women picked up Briar at his home with plans to “hang out” and drove to the bridge in Knapke’s vehicle. Stephen then distracted Briar to allow Hiestand to retrieve a gun. Hiestand shot Briar once in the back, the documents say.

Briar was found about 2 a.m. Jan. 12 and died later the same day at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.

All three women are being held without bond at Jay County Jail. In Indiana, murder carries a sentence of 45 to 65 years, with an advisory sentence of 55 years.