***MEDIA ADVISORY***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 03, 2017

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY REQUESTS GRAND JURY FOR NORMAN GARY SHOOTING

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

Elkhart County Prosecuting Attorney Vicki Becker filed a formal request today in the Elkhart Circuit Court to convene a Grand Jury for the investigation of the facts and circumstances surrounding the death of Norman Gary and related events.

In the early morning hours of December 4, 2016, Elkhart Police Department Officers responded to the sound of multiple shots fired in the area of DeCamp Avenue and Capital Avenue in the City of Elkhart. Two of the responding officers discharged their firearms during the encounter.

The officers found that one Norman Gary and one Jazzlyn Crase, both of Elkhart, had been injured by gunshot wounds and requested emergency medical assistance; however, Mr. Gary succumbed to his wounds and died before medics arrived. Ms. Crase was treated and released.

The Grand Jury will review the actions of the police officers, and possibly others during these events, to determine if any formal criminal charges are appropriate.

The Indiana State Police has been investigating the case and provided a significant amount of their investigation to the Prosecuting Attorney. Although additional information is still anticipated, the investigation is expected to be complete by the time the Grand Jury is called into session.

Under Indiana law, a Grand Jury is an investigative body authorized to hear and examine evidence concerning events during which criminal activity may have occurred. The Grand Jury is the exclusive judge of facts with respect to any matter it considers, and may subpoena any person to provide information if it believes that person may have evidence it wishes to consider. However, no person has a right to present information to a Grand Jury. The Prosecuting Attorney is the legal advisor of the Grand Jury and must approve any indictment for it to be valid.

The Grand Jury is expected to convene in late February. Further details will be provided when available.

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