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Last updated on Monday, April 13, 2015
(BEDFORD) - Rodney Allendar’s sister told Taylor Flynn he was a “monster of a human being.”
Buffy Ann Allender addressed Flynn directly during his sentencing in Superior Court II Monday afternoon.
"It really bothers me that you referred to him as an old man," Allender says. " He had a lot of years ahead of him and that was all taken from all of us."
43-year-old Rodney was beaten to death at his Heltonville home in the 1700 block of Dutch Ridge Road in February 2014. 20-year-old Flynn is one of three accused of murdering Allender. 19-year-old Austin Curtis plead guilty to the crime and 17-year-old Dillon Hicks, who is represented by defense attorney Stephanie Parker, is scheduled for a jury trial on January 5, 2016 at 9 a.m.
Flynn; after pleading guilty to murder, conspiracy to commit burglary and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony; was ordered to look at Buffy Ann while she addressed Flynn with her comments.
"Rodney was always willing to lend a helping hand to someone in need," she says. "He was a big old huggable guy with a big heart, that kind heart lead to this... him thinking he was helping a young girl in need," she added. "At least you are still alive Taylor and your mother can see you, even if it is behind bars. All we have is a headstone. What kind of justice is that?
"Rodney didn't choose to die; he was murdered and brutally at that. On judgment day ultimate justice will be served. All I see when I look at you is a mean selfish evil kid," she added.
Before being sentenced Flynn made a statement to the Allender family and court.
"I'll never be able to forgive myself," Taylor Flynn told Judge William Sleva. "I feel remorse every day. I apologize with all my heart. I am sorry."
Before sentencing Judge William Sleva addressed Flynn.
"I don't know where to start. Mr. Allender's sister said pretty much how I also feel. This was a senseless murder all for money. It was all for money. His (Allender) suffering was horrific. I am sure his family wonders everyday what he went through, what his last thoughts were. This man suffered and it is inconceivable to me."
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Sleva sentenced Flynn to 55 years on the murder count, six years on the conspiracy to commit burglary count and four years on the use of a firearm count, with the sentences run consecutively for a total of 65 years.
58 years would be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction with seven years suspended. Of the seven suspended years, Flynn would be placed on electronic monitoring for three years, followed by supervised probation for four years. Flynn is required to register for life as a violent offender upon release from the DOC.
Flynn admitted that days leading up to Allender's murder he and co-defendant 17-year-old Hicks had staked out Allender's home at 1758 Dutch Ridge Road in Heltonville on several occasions. The teens believed Allender had a large amount of money in safes inside the home and guns they planned to steal.
Then on February 27, 2014 Flynn dressed up like a girl and armed with rifle knocked on Allender's door. When Allender opened the door, Flynn shot Allender in the leg.
That is when co-defendant 19-year-old Austin Curtis struck Allender in the head with a baseball bat.
Both Curtis and Flynn told the judge there was a struggle and Allender was hit in the head and face.
Curtis testified during his sentencing that he struck Allender once in the legs and once in the head. Hicks, armed with an air-rifle, also hit Allender during the struggle and Flynn hit Allender in the head with the rifle butt.
According to an autopsy report, Allender died from a closed head injury and blunt force injuries.
But before Allender died, the men tied him up with duct tape and repeatedly hit and used a stun gun on Allender until he gave them the combinations to his safe. They then ransacked the home, stealing money and guns.
Allender's body was found in his garage by his son and his son's girlfriend. He was lying on his side with a severe head injury and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officers found Allender's home in disarray with furniture overturned, a door ripped off the hinges, a desk emptied and papers thrown around and two safes open and emptied. Police noted there was blood throughout the home.
Curtis was arrested on March 1, 2014 after being questioned by police and admitting his part of the crime. Flynn and Hicks had fled to Ironton, Ohio and were arrested the same day. They were extradited back to Lawrence County.
According to Ironton Police Chief Dan Johnson, an officer remembered seeing the white 1995 Chevrolet Beretta used in the crime during his patrols.
Chief Johnson says Flynn and Hicks fled, leading police on a car chase through parts of the city and into a residential area, where officers stopped the pursuit after the Beretta almost hit several children.
Officers lost sight of the vehicle, but soon found it again. The teens stopped the car and then fled on foot and police found them hiding in the back of a van.
Curtis was sentenced to 55 years in prison with 10 years suspended. Curtis, who was represented by Bloomington Attorney Sam Shapiro, must also provide a complete and truthful account of what happened the night Rodney Allender was murdered, including the roles of the two co-defendants - Hicks and Flynn. If he fails to cooperate, the plea agreement will be null and void and Curtis could face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
It is unclear if Hicks will be offered a plea deal or if he will change his plea.
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