COLUMBUS, Ind. — An 18-year-old Benton County man pleaded guilty to reckless homicide in last November’s shooting death of Hauser High School student Jesse W. Bragg.
In Bartholomew Circuit Court, Joseph T. Kidwell of Fowler admitted his guilt to one count of reckless homicide – a Level 5 felony punishable by one to six years behind bars, as well as a fine of up to $10,000.
Kidwell admitted his guilt with an open plea that leaves the defendant’s sentence in the hands of Judge Kelly Benjamin without any sentencing agreement from the prosecutor.
However, an open plea doesn’t mean there won’t be efforts to obtain a shorter sentence from the judge. Defense attorney Mike DeArmitt has asked for four hours to present his arguments when the sentencing hearing begins at 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 17. Due to an anticipated large audience, the hearing will be held in the Bartholomew Superior Court 1 courtroom.
On the night of Nov. 26, 2022, law enforcement officers were summoned to 319 Elm St. in Hope after receiving a report of a male being shot.
Officers, who arrived to find two individuals attempting life saving measures on Bragg, took over until emergency medical services arrived. Minutes later, Bragg was declared dead at the scene of a gunshot wound to the chest, a probable cause affidavit states.
Police say six to seven other people, including Kidwell, were at the residence at the time of the shooting. There were open alcoholic beverages and a green leafy substance with an odor commonly associated with marijuana in plain view inside the house, according to the affidavit.
While being questioned by detectives, Kidwell said he had fired a shot at Bragg’s chest, but claimed he thought he had an Airsoft pistol in his hand when he did so, the affidavit states. Plastic projectiles from an Airsoft pistol typically sting, but are not considered lethal.
Witnesses told investigators Kidwell grabbed the pistol, racked the slide, pointed the pistol at Bragg, pulled the trigger and caused the weapon to fire, according to the affidavit.
Two semi-automatic handguns, an IWI Desert .40-caliber and a Taurus PT111 .9mm, along with an Airsoft pistol, were located and seized at the scene, the affidavit states. The expended .40-caliber projectile and casing were also recovered, the affidavit states.
Kidwell has been free on bond after posting $1,500 bond.
