New trial dates slated

Most of the high-profile trials slated in Jay Circuit Court have been rescheduled.

Jay Circuit Court on Thursday set new trial dates for Ryan A. Markle 40, Portland, who is charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death, a Level 1 felony.

New trial dates have also been set for Esther J. Stephen, 30, Portland, Shelby N. Hiestand, 19, Portland, Roger L. Boyd, 35, Portland, and Cory M. Jones, 44, Dunkirk, all of whom are charged with murder, and Jennifer F. Young, 35, Portland, who like Markle is charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death, a Level 1 felony.

The court’s docket today included a scheduling hearing for a new trial date for Hannah L. Knapke, 19, Fort Recovery, who is also charged with murder.

In some of the cases, multiple trial dates have been set. Jay Circuit Court schedules primary trials as well as back-ups in order to help keep cases moving in the event that the primary case gets canceled or moved.

Most of the trials have already been rescheduled at least once because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The most recent cancellations came in December when Indiana Supreme Court announced it was suspending jury trials statewide until March 1 because of the potential spread of COVID-19.

At Thursday’s scheduling hearing, Markle’s trial was tentatively set for May 6 and 7. If that timeframe is not available, additional possible dates were set for May 17 and 18 and Sept. 13 and 14. In addition to the neglect of a dependent resulting in death charge, he is also charged with possession of methamphetamine, a Level 5 felony, and possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor.

The charges stem from the March 6 death of Hayden Markle, the 3-month-old son of Ryan Markle and Jennifer Young. An autopsy found the cause of death to be acute methamphetamine intoxication.

Young, who faces the same charges, has a trial set for April 29 and 30. If those dates are not available, additional dates are set for July 12 and 13.

The first of the rescheduled high-profile cases is Stephen’s murder trial, which is now set for March 15 through 19.

Stephen, Hiestand and Knapke are all charged for their alleged roles in the Jan. 12, 2020, murder of Shea Briar, 31, Portland. According to court documents, Stephen and Hiestand admitted to plotting to kill Briar over a custody dispute. Stephen and Briar shared a child.

Probable cause affidavits filed in connection to the cases indicate that the three women drove Briar to northern Jay County, where Hiestand shot him while Stephen was distracting him.

Hiestand's trial is slated for Aug. 9 through 12. A trial date for Knapke was expected to be scheduled today.

Boyd, who is charged with the Sept. 5 murder of James P. Miller, 49, Montpelier, has a trial scheduled for April 5 through 9.

Court documents indicate that Boyd, who previously served as K-9 officer for Jay County Sheriff’s Office and for Dunkirk Police Department, admitted to shooting Miller outside a house at 1215 S. Bridge St., Portland. Police say Boyd told them the shooting was in self defense and that he believed Miller had a weapon, though police say no such weapon was found.

Brittney Shewmake, 28, Portland, who faces charges multiple charges in relation to Miller’s murder, has a trial set for June 10 and 11. If those dates are not available, secondary dates are set for July 19 and 20. She is charged with criminal confinement while armed with a deadly weapon, a Level 3 felony, and assisting a criminal, a Level 5 felony.

A trial has been set for July 26 through 30 for Cory Jones, who is charged with the Aug. 22 murder of Shanna Jones, 47, Dunkirk.

Court documents indicate that Shanna Jones was found dead at 10402 W. 400 South, Dunkirk, during a welfare check. Police say Cory Jones’ father, Ray Jones, told police his son said he accidentally shot Shanna Jones. The U.S. Marshal Service’s Fugitive Task Force arrested Cory Jones three days later in Martinsburg, West Virginia.