***MEDIA ADVISORY***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 08, 2018

JAMES ROSS, JR. SENTENCED TO 130 YEARS FOR MURDERING MCCLAIN BROTHERS

Media Contact: Vicki Elaine Becker (574) 296-1888

On March 8, 2018, the Honorable Judge Michael Christofeno sentenced James E. Ross, Jr. to 130 years for the murder of brothers, Antonio McClain and Anthony McClain. Judge Christofeno sentenced Ross to an enhanced sentence of 65 years for each murder count, to be served consecutively, at the Indiana Department of Corrections.

On September 20, 2016, Ross, armed with a handgun, went to a multi-family residence at 413 State Street, in the City of Elkhart, where he confronted a female resident about what people could be on the property. Ross told the female resident that if he saw certain people on her property, he would kill them. Antonio McClain, who was at the property, overheard the confrontation and intervened on the female resident’s behalf. Anthony McClain, who lived in an apartment at 413 State Street, arrived at his home, saw Ross arguing with his brother Antonio, and stood next to his brother. Ross refused to leave the property and escalated the situation when he pulled out a handgun and pointed it at Antonio McClain. As Antonio and Anthony McClain retreated, Ross shot Antonio and Anthony McClain in the face at close range, killing the brothers instantly.

During the sentencing hearing, Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joel V. Williams argued that but for Ross bullying and intimidating the residents at 413 State Street while armed with a loaded handgun, there would have been no argument, no shooting. That but for Ross’s refusal to leave the property, there would have been no reason for Ross to escalate the situation which resulted in him killing the McClain brothers. It was clear from the evidence presented by the State of Indiana and the jury’s guilty verdicts, that Ross was not acting in self-defense, but is a cold blooded, calculating killer.

***

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