INDIANAPOLIS — A Marion County judge has ordered a man to serve 20 years in prison for his involvement in a 2020 incident in which police say he stole a truck, fled officers and killed another person by crashing into their vehicle during the chase.
James R. Shirley pleaded guilty earlier this month to charges including resisting law enforcement causing death, auto theft and criminal recklessness. As part of the plea agreement, charges of methamphetamine possession and driving while suspended were dismissed.
A judge sentenced Shirley to 30 years for the resisting charge but with 10 years suspended. His sentence also includes 2 years for the other charges, but Shirley will serve them concurrently with his 30-year sentence.
On top of that, Shirley will have to serve five years of probation, a year of which he'll be on home detention. He'll also be subject to electric monitoring and substance abuse evaluation.
Police have said that Shirley killed 66-year-old Edward Flynn in December 2020 when he was fleeing police in a stolen pickup truck and crashed into Flynn's vehicle. Flynn later died from his injuries.
Officers encountered Shirley while they responded about 6 p.m. Oct. 15, 2020 to a report of a stolen vehicle in the 5000 block of West Washington Street. There, police made contact with Shirley and he refused to comply with officers' commands, backing the truck into one of the officers' patrol cars.
Officers then began a vehicle pursuit which ended when Shirley crashed into a second vehicle at South Lynhurst Drive and West Morris Street, Young said. The pursuit lasted approximately five minutes, police said.
-
More storm chances ahead for central Indiana
It was a beautiful, sunny and warm start to the weekend. However, changes are on the way, with the potential for more strong-to-severe thunderstorms.
Max Engling secures Republican nomination for Secretary of State in Indiana
Max Engling won the Republican nomination for Secretary of State in Indiana with 867 out of 1,630 ballots, defeating incumbent Diego Morales and others.
Rescue dog Osito steals hearts at the World Cup, one bike ride at a time
Osito, a rescue poodle mix, has become an unlikely sensation after arriving at Mexico’s opening match perched on the back of a cargo bicycle, dressed in a Mexico jersey, sunglasses and a cap.
Fever give up season-high 113 points in loss to Dream
It felt like not that long ago the Fever were on a four-game winning streak. That has quickly changed, though, thanks to the Atlanta Dream.
