Elkhart County Prosecuting Attorney Vicki Becker has requested a Grand Jury be called to review the police-involved shooting of a 34-year-old Goshen man which happened in early January. Joshua Perry led police on a chase and suffered serious injuries due to the gunfire. The Grand Jury will review the Goshen Police Lt. Michael McCormick’s actions and the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office released the following information about the Grand Jury request:
Vicki Elaine Becker, Prosecuting Attorney, has requested a Grand Jury be called to review the police action shooting of Joshua A. Perry, 34, of Goshen, which occurred on January 9, 2019, in Goshen, Indiana. Although the shooting was not fatal, Mr. Perry suffered very serious injuries due to the use of deadly force by an officer. Accordingly, the Grand Jury will review the actions of the police officer who used deadly force against Mr. Perry and the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
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 Elkhart Circuit Court is summoning the Grand Jury to commence on the 13th day of March, 2019, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The proceedings are secret and will not be open to the public pursuant to I.C. 35-34-2-4.
Mr. Perry was taken into custody for a probation violation warrant upon being released from medical treatment, and has also been charged with the offense of Resisting Law Enforcement, a Level 6 felony, in the Elkhart Superior Court 6 surrounding the events of January 9. The Initial Hearing for his new charge has not yet set by the Court, but the probation violation hearing is scheduled for February 27, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. in the Elkhart Superior Court 6.
