LOGANSPORT — When a 24-year-old Logansport woman answered all of a judge’s questions this week, her attorney was confident that she could understand the nature of the burglary charges she faces — at least for now.
During a hearing in Pulaski Circuit Court this week, attorney Jay Hirschauer announced that his client, Erica Richie, was capable of understanding courtroom proceedings, something she wasn’t able to do in June.
At that, Pulaski Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn moved ahead with Richie’s initial hearing on two class B felony burglary charges.
Hirschauer’s petition to have Richie’s competency evaluated was left pending in case the woman’s medical status changes, Prosecutor Stacey Mrak said.
Hirschauer noted that Richie’s medical condition was still unstable.
He said he believed she could understand legal proceedings at this point.
“But she could have a medical setback that could change that,” he said.
In June, Shurn postponed the woman’s initial hearing when she couldn’t even confirm her name.
When the judge asked Richie questions, the courtroom fell silent and the woman began to sob.
Hirschauer said Tuesday’s hearing went much better.
“She did fine in court,” Hirschauer said. “We took it slow and easy, and she was able to answer the judge’s questions.”
Mrak agreed.
“There was a noticeable difference in her behavior this time,” she said.
The key was to keep Richie calm and relaxed, Hirschauer said.
“When she’s in stressful situations, she has a hard time,” he said.
Hirschauer did say that his client had made strides in the past two months.
He attributes the improvements to ongoing therapy and treatment she receives for a brain injury.
Detectives at the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department believe Richie was shot in the head while breaking into a Pulaski County home in the pre-dawn hours of Feb. 28.
Richie's co-defendant, 19-year-old Kayla McCord, was reportedly the one to take Richie to the hospital that morning. Investigators say McCord told them she and Richie were in the midst of their second break-in of the night when Richie was shot in the head by an 83-year-old homeowner.
As a result of the gunshot wound, Hirschauer told a judge that Richie is now blind in her right eye and has uncontrolled muscle spasms. In June, he said he was unsure just how much she comprehended.
“She is progressing now,” Hirschauer said this week. “It just takes time for the brain to heal.”
Richie will appear in court at 1 p.m. Nov. 18 for a pre-trial conference.
• Lindsey Ziliak is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at 574-732-5148 or lindsey.ziliak@pharostribune.com.
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
