Defendant accused in shooting of Tippecanoe County judge asks for special prosecutor

One of the men accused of conspiring to shoot Tippecanoe County Judge Steven Meyer has asked the court for a special prosecutor, claiming the current prosecutor’s professional relationship with the judge interferes with his ability to fairly work the case, according to court documents.

Defendant Blake Smith filed the petition on Tuesday in Tippecanoe Superior Court. His attorneys argued that county prosecutor Pat Harrington is not fit to prosecute his case because Judge Meyer and Harrington have and continue to work in the same court.

Attorneys argued Smith’s case needs a prosecutor whose plea evaluation isn’t driven by the desire to satisfy a colleague’s expectations.

The prosecutor has not yet responded, according to MyCase.

Smith’s attorneys also asked that the court ease his jail restrictions. According to the petition, since his arrest in January, Smith has been kept in solitary confinement at the Warren County Jail and has had no contact with his parents or children.

Attorneys for Smith said that because he has no criminal history, Smith has done nothing to deserve the punishment of isolation, according to court documents.

Given the nature of the plot and Smith’s involvement, however, the restrictions are necessary, the court told the attorneys at Thursday’s hearing, according to Based in Lafayette.

Smith is one of six people accused in the plot against Judge Meyer, who was shot in his home in Lafayette on Jan. 18. His wife also was shot and wounded in the incident. The plot is tied to a high-ranking gang member who was set to stand trial in front of Meyer on Jan. 20, according to court documents.

That gang member, Thomas Moss, asked for a special prosecutor to be appointed in his case in March. That motion will be heard during a hearing on May 8.

Smith, who was arrested in January, was charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated battery and several other crimes. Investigators say Smith, who was 32 when he was arrested, purchased the gun used in the shooting of the judge and likely the ammunition.

Four others have also been accused in the crime. Raylen Ferguson is accused of pulling the trigger and shooting through Meyer’s front door. His trial is set to start on Aug. 25. Amanda Lee Milsap is set to go to trial on April 27. Smith and Nevaeh Bell are both scheduled to go to trial this July, while Moss will go to trial in September.

The case against Zenada Greer, who was charged with obstruction of justice in the plot, was dismissed in March, according to MyCase. Greer and Ferguson shared the same residential address, according to the probable cause affidavit. Her vehicle was identified as driving toward Meyer’s residence shortly before the shooting.