TERRE HAUTE —
A fight broke out Tuesday afternoon in Vigo Superior Court 6 after an exchange of words between people attending the initial hearing of a Indianapolis man accused of murder in the Friday death of a Terre Haute man.
William Mallory, 21, appeared via video from the Vigo County Jail for the hearing, and was not physically present in the courtroom. However, several members of his family saw Mallory on video and witnessed the hearing, along with family members of shooting victims. Mallory made no statement to the court.
Judge Michael Lewis read the six formal charges filed against Mallory in connection with a fatal shooting near the Ballyhoo Tavern at Ninth and Chestnut streets early Friday. Killed was Dustin Kelly, 24, of Terre Haute. Injured were Dante Pettus and Terrance Trotter, both 21.
Mallory was charged with felony murder, two counts of class-A felony attempted murder, two counts of class-B felony aggravated battery, and carrying a handgun without a license, a class-A misdemeanor. Mallory allegedly shot all three men with a Smith & Wesson 9 mm handgun. Trotter was shot in the hip, while Pettus was shot in the torso.
At the conclusion of the hearing, angry words were exchanged among the groups inside the gallery of the courtroom, and a fight broke out as people wrestled and were pushed to the floor.
“The victim’s family. The defendant’s family. All in the same courtroom. Tension is just high, you know,” Lt. Edward Tompkins said of the drama.
One person was heard yelling that the shooting was the result of conflict over a woman at the tavern. At least one of the gallery chairs was thrown toward the scuffling audience.
Judge Lewis had requested more security in the courtroom before the hearing, and Tompkins was among more than a dozen Terre Haute Police officers and Vigo County sheriff’s deputies already inside the courtroom in anticipation of conflict among the audience.
“We got word that there were some problems before court started,” Tompkins said. “We had to stop that.”
Lewis exited the bench as the scuffle began and dialed 911 from the court office to request additional police assistance in the courthouse. The panic alarm system inside the courthouse — which allows employees to summon police when a disturbance breaks out — is not fully functional.
Police in the courtroom sent members of the victims’ families into the hallway outside the courtroom and later escorted them out of the building. Subsequent scuffles broke out on the courthouse lawn, but police said no serious injuries were reported.
The defendant’s family members were kept inside the courtroom for about 30 minutes until disturbances outside the building were dispersed. Two women who scuffled with police were arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting law enforcement. (See related story.)
Inside the courtroom, two men were handcuffed and held for security. They were later released by police. Tompkins said the defendant’s family members were escorted by police to Interstate 70 so they could return to Indianapolis.
Chief Deputy Prosecutor Rob Roberts told the Tribune-Star that criminal charges could be filed against those involved in the disturbance in the courtroom.
Updates on the medical conditions of Pettus and Trotter were not available on Tuesday.
Mallory is scheduled to return to court the week of Sept. 10 for appointment of a public defender and the setting of trial dates. He is being held in the Vigo County Jail with no bail set.
Reporter Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com. Follow her on Twitter @TribStarLisa. Additional reporting contributed by Reporter Arthur Foulkes.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
-
Restrained: Brandon Brown, brother of shooting victim Dustin Kelly, is restrained by law enforcement officers in the Vigo County courthouse. He was at a hearing for alleged shooter William Mallory. (Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis)
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Running high: Emotions ran high Tuesday afternoon in the Vigo County courthouse. Family members and friends helped keep each other in check at the hearing for alleged shooter William Mallory, accused of shooting Dustin Kelly, Dante Pettus and Terrance Trotter.
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Understanding: Terre Haute police Lt. Ed Tompkins talks with Brandon Brown, brother of shooting victim Dustin Kelly. Brown had to be removed from the Vigo County Division 6 courtroom during a hearing for William Mallory, the alleged shooter of Kelly and two of Kelly’s friends.
Discussion
Heated hearing for shooting suspect results in courtroom clash
Emotions overflow during hearing for suspect in Friday shooting death near campus bar
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Ill. House approves guns plan opposed by governor
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gun owners in the only state still banning concealed weapons would win that right under a plan approved by the Illinois House on Friday, but the governor and other powerful Democrats oppose the plan because it would wipe out local gun ordinances — including Chicago's ban on assault weapons.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 24, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Thursday and Friday, based on jail records.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 23, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Wednesday and Thursday, based on jail records.
-
Relic from another age: Massive find
A mastodon that lived in the Wabash Valley thousands of years ago is making big news today.
-
Game Over: Financial tightening causes VCSC to drop St. Patrick’s from athletic schedule
St. Patrick’s School athletic teams will not have an opportunity to compete against their Vigo County School Corp. middle school counterparts next year.
-
Katelyn Newell finally at home
After nearly five months, 8-year-old Katelyn Newell finally returned home Thursday evening — with a new heart.
-
Indiana State U. Police officer honored with Artz Award
Thursday was a special day for Indiana State University Police Officer Christopher Heleine in multiple ways.
-
City Council considering three for consultant
Three different tax professionals vied Thursday for a chance to become a “financial consultant” to the Terre Haute City Council.
-
Clay County sheriff warns of bank card scam
The Clay County Sheriff’s Department has received information regarding a scam targeting residents, according to a news release from the sheriff’s department.
-
State Police seek help with Sullivan County homicide
Indiana State Police detectives from the Putnamville Post are seeking help from the public with the nearly six-month investigation into the death of 85-year-old Lowell R. Badger, a rural Sullivan County farmer.
-
Man who attacked Vigo deputy arrested
A Terre Haute man accused of attacking a Vigo County sheriff’s deputy earlier this week is facing felony charges in the Vigo County jail.
-
INDOT to bid final 641 phase
The final construction phase of the 641 bypass is scheduled to let for bids on Dec. 11, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation.
-
District office moves north
The Southwest District office of the Purdue Extension service has been moved north from Vincennes to Terre Haute.
-
Day is done…
The sun sets Thursday evening as seen from south of Terre Haute.
-
Morning update: I-5 bridge collapse caused by truck hitting span
The Washington State Patrol chief says the Interstate 5 bridge collapse into the Skagit (SKA'-jiht) River at Mount Vernon was caused by an oversize truck.
-
UPDATE: I-70 lanes in Putnam County now open
The west-bound lanes of Interstate 70 re-opened Thursday evening after being temporarily closed due to a crash near the Greencastle/Cloverdale exit.
-
22-hospital St. Vincent Health cutting jobs
INDIANAPOLIS — One of Indiana’s largest health systems says it’s cutting an undisclosed number of jobs by June 30 because of increasing economic and competitive pressure on the health care industry.
-
Update: Cleanup from overturned truck in Greene County continues
Fuel spillage from the dump truck hauling gravel that overturned this morning in Greene County at Indiana 54 and County Road 725 East near Ridgeport continues to restrict traffic to one lane.
-
17-pound bone found during Vigo flood cleanup
TERRE HAUTE — Crews cleaning up from Wabash River flooding in Vigo County came across a 17-pound bone that they believe might have come from an ancient mastodon.
-
Duke Energy gives $10K to Wabash Valley Red Cross for Vigo flood relief
Duke Energy is giving $10,000 to the Wabash Valley Red Cross chapter for flood relief from this spring’s heavy rains.
-
I-70 Frye Road overpass contract awarded; construction to begin May 28
The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced the Interstate-70 Frye Road overpass contract was awarded to Halverson Construction Co. Inc. from Springfield, Ill., for $317,166.
-
Banks of the Wabash Festival is more than just yearly entertainment
Pioneers think counterintuitively. Where others see widespread apathy, they focus on the possibility for progress. In a way, the 2013 Year of the River celebration began in the 1970s.
-
Planning session aims to better Terre Haute
It’s not yet clear what will come of it, but dozens of community leaders spent the whole day Wednesday trying to develop a plan – or collection of plans – to make Terre Haute “a better community.”
-
Education funding boost won’t benefit all schools
In the budget bill passed by the General Assembly last month, there is more money allocated for K-12 education over the next two years, but that doesn’t mean every school will get more dollars.
- Day of Action job options open
-
Park Board renames land around Memorial Stadium
Land surrounding Indiana State University’s Memorial Stadium on Terre Haute’s east side has been designated as Veterans Memorial Park, following a unanimous vote Wednesday from the Terre Haute Park Board.
-
Deputy suffers minor injury during incident
A Vigo County Sheriff’s deputy received a minor injury to his hand Tuesday night while subduing a drunken driving suspect who fled behind a North Terre Haute business.
-
Man accused of child neglect gets new trial date
An Oct. 15 trial date has been set for a Terre Haute man arrested in November for child neglect after he and his wife allegedly tied up and confined their adopted children in the family home.
-
Police find meth labs, arrest Pierson Township man
Police uncovered two active methamphetamine labs in southeastern Vigo County on Monday, leading to the arrest of a Pierson Township man.
-
New date set for attempted murder trial
A new trial date has been set for a Terre Haute woman charged with attempted murder.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Today in History May 24
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
Raw: 80-Year-Old Climbs Mount Everest
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
