Jeremiah Burris
A Bartholomew County suspect facing multiple charges has had his case continued in Bartholomew Superior Court 1 as his legal representation has changed again.
The case of Jeremiah Jayson Burris, 42, has been drawn out in Bartholomew Superior Court 1 for a year-and-a-half largely because of multiple changes in defense attorneys. Burris, who lives west of Taylorsville on County Road 400W, has either rejected or been rejected by every public defender available to Judge James Worton. He’s now being represented by his second privately-hired attorney after the first resigned from the case.
There are currently two open cases against Burris, who has a criminal history going back more than 20 years, The most serious stems from a domestic battery with substantial bodily injury involving a firearm that took place on May 27, 2022.
In that case, Burris is charged with aggravated battery, two counts of criminal confinement, unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, domestic battery by means of a deadly weapon, and and strangulation.
It was while law enforcement was investigating that case that they learned Burris was also wanted for violating a pre-trial release that involves his failure to register as a sex offender.
Although Burris barricaded inside his residence when officers attempted to arrest him, he eventually was taken into custody and a search of his residence turned up narcotics and paraphernalia. A second case was filed on charges of possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a syringe, possession of paraphernalia and maintaining a common nuisance.
Three weeks after his arrest, attorney Jane Ann Noblitt was appointed to be Burris’ public defender after he claimed indigent status. However, Noblitt asked Worton to allow her to withdraw from the case on Oct. 19. While public defender Aaron Edwards was chosen to represent the defendant, it was the next day that Edwards also sought Worton’s permission to withdraw.
A third public defender, Benjamin Loheide, was appointed on Oct. 20. But on Nov. 5, Burris was asking the judge that Loheide be dismissed as well. The defendant claimed Loheide was also representing his stepson, whom Burris was planning to call to the stand to testify on his behalf. By representing both men, Burris claimed Loheide had a conflict of interest.
Loheide remained Burris’ public defender for another six months. During a May 9, 2023 hearing, Worton told Burris the court had run out of public defenders to represent him.
In response, Burris began to angrily accuse Loheide of approaching him in a courthouse hallway and using a vulgarity to insult him. After Loheide replied he had said no such thing, the judge told Burris his allegation wasn’t believable. Nevertheless, the defendant continued expressing his anger to the point where he stood up and began walking away from the defense table before the judge ended the hearing.
In early June, Burris hired Indianapolis lawyer Brent Pierce, which allowed Loheide to step down from the case. But on Sept. 1, the defendant told Worton he wanted to drop Pierce as well. Another Indianapolis lawyer, Star Martinez, appeared in court on Burris’ behalf on Sept. 14 and continues to represent him at this time, court documents state.
While a change of plea hearing for Burris was scheduled for Monday, Martinez informed the court late last week that she had a previous court commitment in Boone County. She also listed 11 work days this month that she would not be available for hearings in regard to Burris.
Martinez also asked for a continuance to provide her with additional time to review all evidence and interviews regarding the case. Since there were no objections from the prosecution, Worton approved Martinez’s request.
Further court hearings will be scheduled at a later date, while Burris remains in the Bartholomew County Jail in lieu of a $285,000 surety bond or 10% cash.
