The Indiana Court of Appeals is reviewing the murder conviction of Kevin Hatfield, an Oaktown man sentenced to prison for killing his wife, Jasmine, in 2021.
Hatfield was found guilty by a Knox County jury in 2023 and received a 78-year sentence.
Now, he is challenging two aspects of his trial, including the admission of a 911 call and the handling of his mental health issues during sentencing.
The appeal was part of a special session held at Monrovia High School, where justices heard oral arguments. A final ruling will be made at a later date.
In regards to the appeal, Knox County Prosecutor Dirk Carnahan issued this statement on social media:
A Knox County man was being held on a domestic battery charge. Through his attorney, he asked for his bond to be lowered. His wife, the victim of the domestic, testified on his behalf. The judge was not one of our Knox County judges and was only there to fill in for the day.
Over my objections and arguments, the judge lowered the bond and vacated the no contact order. A few days later, I was called to a crime scene where the woman had been brutally murdered. After a trial, the man was convicted and judge Lee sentenced him to serve what will likely be the rest of his life in prison. During the trial and preparations, I got to know the woman’s family.
Today (Thursday 9/12) , the Indiana Court of Appeals is hearing oral arguments in the defendant’s appeal. The arguments are being held publicly at Monrovia High School. The Court of appeals holds public oral arguments about 40 times a year around the State. I am here to listen to the arguments and to be available for any questions that anyone may have.
The cases handled by my office don’t end for us when there is a plea or a jury verdict. They don’t end when the appeal process is over either. The people and families involved in these cases are seldom forgotten by the prosecutors and staff in my office.
