The trial of a man linked to a slaying in downtown Seymour on April 30 has been postponed.
Daniel L. Combs, 32, North Vernon, had requested a speedy trial during his initial hearing May 11 on eight criminal charges, including murder, in connection with the shooting death of Gilbert L. Engle, 42, of Seymour. The trial was set to begin at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday in Jackson Circuit Court.
Judge Richard Poynter agreed to Combs’ request for the speedy trial and told him he would not grant a continuance. Combs is being represented by North Vernon attorney Mark Dove, who could not be reached for comment Friday.
Prosecutor AmyMarie Travis said Friday that Dove has told Poynter he plans to ask for a continuance, and Poynter has said he will grant it. She was not aware of a new trial date being set.
Combs was returned to the Jackson County Jail in Brownstown on Thursday afternoon from the Jennings County Jail, where he was being held.
Police said they believe Engle was slain on the morning of April 30 as part of a robbery that occurred after Combs, Andrea M. Hollin, 25, and Jessica L. Jarrell, 21, who was dating Engle, and Engle’s roommate were at Engle’s apartment at 207 N. Chestnut St.
Methamphetamine, marijuana and heroin were used throughout the night, and those at the apartment went out to do laundry, go shopping at Walmart and buy food at McDonald’s, according to court documents.
After Engle was robbed and shot, Combs, Hollin and Jarrell took a PT Cruiser, which Engle had borrowed from his ex-wife, and left the area to go toward Columbus, according to court records.
Hollin got out of the vehicle at a gas station in Columbus and then came to the police department. She told police she was involved in the robbery but had “no idea” the other two would harm Engle, police said.
Jarrell stayed in the vehicle until they reached Hamilton County, where the PT Cruiser ran out of gas. She turned herself in to police in Jennings County a little more than a day later, according to court documents.
Police said Combs left the vehicle behind and was arrested on a methamphetamine charge by police in Arcadia in Hamilton County May 1.
The eight felony counts Combs faces in connection with Engle’s death include two counts of murder. The second murder count stems from the fact Engle was slain during the commission of another felony crime.
He also faces charges of robbery resulting in a serious bodily injury, a Level 2 felony; conspiracy to commit armed robbery, a Level 3 felony; unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, a Level 4 felony; and Level 6 felony counts of auto theft, theft of a firearm and possession of methamphetamine.
Hollin and Jarrell each face one count of robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, a Level 2 felony; robbery, taking property by force or threatening to use force while armed (conspiracy to commit), a Level 3 felony; and three Level 6 felonies of theft of a firearm, auto theft and possession of methamphetamine.