***MEDIA ADVISORY***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 14, 2014

HAINES SENTENCED TO EIGHTY YEARS FOR ATTEMPTING TO LIGHT VICTIM ON FIRE

Media Contact: Curtis T. Hill, Jr. (574) 296-1888

On Monday, April 14, 2014, Larry Haines, Sr., 47, of Elkhart was sentenced in Elkhart Superior Court 2 to an aggregate sentence of eighty years for breaking into the home of Jeanie Haines and threatening her with a torch after dousing her in lighter fluid. Mr. Haines was convicted at trial on March 13, 2014, of one count of Burglary, a Class A felony, Attempted Arson, a Class A felony, Intimidation, a Class C felony, and Battery with a Deadly Weapon, a Class C felony. Due to the nature and timing of the criminal acts, Mr. Haines faced up to one hundred eight years in prison.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelan Doyle directed the court's attention to the specific facts of the case, noting that Haines' behavior was violent and in violation of a valid Protective Order, "and involved an amount of force above and beyond what was necessary" to meet the elements of the Burglary and Intimidation offenses. DPA Doyle characterized Haines’ behavior as heinous and egregious, noting that Haines' actions demonstrated a vindictive quality lacking any shred of empathy, specifically when Haines (after completing the charged acts) resorted to stealing the cremated remains of the victim's son and taunting her until she reached the safety of a neighbor. Ms. Doyle also referenced evidence received at trial that included a jail tape and multiple letters, which contained threats directed at numerous witnesses in order to obtain perjured testimony in his favor. These threats included one that directed a witness to "be in court on Tuesday or have [Jeanie Haines] in the river." Ms. Doyle implored the court to consider the safety of the targeted individuals and the greater community, and asked that the counts run consecutive to each other for a lengthy sentence.

In passing down the Court's sentence, Judge Bowers was shocked by Haines' lack of remorse and utter disregard for both the system and victim in this case. In reference to the severity of Mr. Haines' acts relative to the elements of the crimes he asked, "To what extent does terrorizing someone in their own home, go beyond what is necessary to prove Intimidation?" The Court surmised that the conduct exhibited by Haines when he poured lighter fluid on the victim was hardly necessary to effectuate his goal of threatening or frightening her, given his towering stature as compared to the victim. All of these acts "say a great deal about your depraved character, and indicate why society needs to be safe" from a person like Mr. Haines. The Court sentenced Haines to an aggregate sentence of eighty years at the Indiana Department of Correction.

***

“Under Indiana law, all persons arrested for a criminal offense are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”