INDIANAPOLIS — The third suspect charged in the 2015 death of Amanda Blackburn reached a plea deal on Monday.
Diano Gordon pled guilty by agreement to robbery resulting in serious bodily injury and was ordered to serve a 30-year sentence for his role in the fatal robbery of Amanda Blackburn.
He'll serve 25 years in prison with five years of his sentence suspended, according to the Marion County Prosecutor's Office.
According to online court records, two murder counts, a burglary count, a theft count and a habitual offender county were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
Earlier this month, Larry Jo Taylor was found guilty of two counts of murder but not guilty of a third in Blackburn's death after a bench trial.
Blackburn was 28-years-old and pregnant when she was killed in the Nov. 10, 2015, shooting.
Gordon, Taylor, and a third suspect, Jalen Watson, were accused of entering Blackburn's house on Sunnyfield Court sometime between 5:30 and 6:30 a.m. on the morning of Nov. 10, 2015. According to police, the men assaulted her and then shot her in the head.
Watson pleaded guilty to robbery and two counts of burglary in 2017. On March 12, 2021, Marion Superior Court Judge Grant Hawkins sentenced Watson to 29 years in prison. Hawkins noted in the order that he will consider reducing the sentence after Watson cooperates with prosecutors and if he stays on good behavior in prison.
Under terms of the plea agreement, records show prosecutors dismissed murder, burglary, theft and auto theft charges against Watson.
-
City-County Councilors raise concerns about Hogsett investigation omissions
Dramatic moments at the Indianapolis City County Council meeting Monday night, as calls continue for the resignation of Mayor Joe Hogsett.
Hoosiers rally at IND to oppose Trump's travel ban
In Central Indiana, groups made their feelings known outside Indianapolis International Airport, standing against what many consider to be a discriminatory travel ban.
Silver Alert issued for missing 31-year-old from Logansport
Crestin Andrews, 31, is described as a white female, 5 feet 2 inches tall, 140 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
Nonprofit offers path to home ownership amidst rising housing barriers
NACA assists low to middle-income individuals and families across the country in achieving home ownership by offering solutions that include no down payment and no closing costs.
