Crime

Man Who Killed Indiana Jeweler Sentenced to 85 Years

CrimeAug 12, 2016

Man Who Killed Indiana Jeweler Sentenced to 85 Years

James Caudill, who pleaded guilty to murdering a 79-year-old jewelry store owner in November, was given the maximum sentence in the case on Thursday.

Indianapolis--The 22-year-old man who killed an Indiana jewelry store owner late last year was sentenced to 85 years in prison on Thursday.

Last month, James Caudill, 22, pleaded guilty to murdering 79-year-old John Turner, the owner of John’s Coin and Jewelry Shop in Austin, Ind., in November 2015.

On Thursday, he was given the maximum sentence in the case, according to a local news report.

Indiana state police said that he and his brother, Christopher Caudill, were robbing the store when Caudill shot and killed Turner.

Police took four suspects into custody in the case after executing a search warrant at a home near Austin and finding money and jewelry tied to the crime.

Those arrested included Caudill’s girlfriend, Ginger Cox, who pleaded guilty in June to aiding in a robbery causing serious bodily injury. According to a local news report, she will receive a 35-year sentence.

Christopher Caudill and Patricia Caudill also were taken into custody then, with the former charged with assisting a criminal, theft and obstruction of justice, and Patricia Caudill was charged with assisting a criminal.

The status of their cases currently is unclear as neither the state police nor the Scott County courts responded to requests from National Jeweler by press time.

Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

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