INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A judge says restorative justice was successfully used in Indiana to remediate a confrontation in which a Black man said a group of white men assaulted him and threatened to “get a noose” while at a southern Indiana lake more than a year ago.
The alleged assault gained national attention in July 2020 when Vauhxx Booker, a local civil rights activist and member of the Monroe County Human Rights Commission, said he called 911 after five men assaulted him and pinned him to a tree at Lake Monroe, just south of Bloomington.
Judge Lance Hamner said it was the first time he’s seen a criminal case resolved through restorative justice, a process that includes a conference between the offender and victim and which gives the offender an opportunity to apologize.
PREVIOUS | 2 charged in July 4 Monroe Lake incident: 'This is about justice.' | Call 6: Special prosecutor & change of venue to be requested in alleged racial attack at Lake Monroe| Attorney for Vauhxx Booker denies he instigated Lake Monroe incident | Vauhxx Booker responds to newly filed charges: 'This has been humiliating and defeating'
- 
            
            
              
                
Local businesses and apps step up to help Hoosiers affected by SNAP delays
From local restaurants to national apps, many companies are stepping in to help people who may not receive their SNAP benefits this month.
Hoosier veteran publishes first book at 85, about wartime experiences
At an age when many people have settled into retirement, 85-year-old Brice Tressler is just getting started on a new chapter, literally.
Plainfield restaurants step up to feed families losing SNAP benefits
Two Plainfield restaurants are stepping up to make sure families don’t go hungry after losing their SNAP benefits.
The Colts QB believes it's a blip, not an omen
Three picks. Two fumbles. Shaky decision-making. All the bad habits that Jones seemed to have left in New York resurfaced in a performance the AFC South-leading Colts believe is a one-off.