By Mike Fletcher
Conspiracy to commit bribery and obstruction of justice charges have been filed against Michael Yates, one of the four men charged in the April 5, 2008, shooting of Abby Rethlake and Morgan Vetter.
Yates, along with Reggie Balentine, who also was charged in the shooting, allegedly attempted to bribe a juror in a recent robbery trial against Yates and tried to influence a witness’ testimony.
A jury in Howard Superior Court 1 convicted Yates one day before the four were charged in the Rethlake case in connection with a robbery at Gateway Gardens Apartments that occurred just hours before the shooting of Rethlake and Vetter. Yates is set to be sentenced Dec. 2 on the robbery charge and could receive up to 20 years in prison.
Balentine was arraigned last week in Howard Superior Court 4 on a Class C felony bribery charge and two D felony counts of obstruction of justice. Yates allegedly conspired with Balentine, the charges state.
In the shooting, Yates, 26, and Balentine, 32, both of Kokomo, face felony charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and aiding, inducing or causing murder. Balentine also faces a charge of assisting criminals for allegedly repairing damages to the get-away vehicle and transporting suspects out of state to avoid prosecution.
The alleged shooter, Jesse L. Harris, 26, Chicago, faces murder charges for allegedly shooting and killing Rethlake.
Harris also faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of attempted murder and aggravated battery. According to the charging information, Harris allegedly conspired and attempted to kill Matthews and Vetter.
A fourth man, Launden Luckett, 21, Chicago, faces a lone charge of aggravated battery in the injury of Vetter.
All four pleaded not guilty and are incarcerated without bond awaiting trial.
• Mike Fletcher is the Kokomo Tribune crime reporter. He can be reached at 765-454-8565 or mike.fletcher@kokomotribune.com.
