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Last updated on Tuesday, January 5, 2016
(NASHVILLE) - A Brown County judge is considering whether to conduct a closed hearing to listen to evidence about whether Daniel Messel’s criminal history can be presented during his murder trial.
Messel is accused of killing 22-year-old Indiana University student Hannah Wilson. Messel, a print shop worker from Bloomington, was arrested after police found his cell phone near Wilson's body. Police found Messel at his home on Ison Road, where they say they found him with bloody clothes in a garbage bag and blood in his car.
Wilson's body was discovered a day after she was reported missing. On April 24 a motorist discovered Wilson's body face-down in a vacant lot at State Road 45 and Plum Creek Road in Brown County.
An autopsy determined Wilson had died from blunt force injuries to the back of her head.
Last week, Brown Circuit Judge Judith Stewart heard arguments on Brown County Prosecutor Ted Adams' request for a hearing, closed to the public, to explain why he thinks what is called "404B evidence" should be allowed in Messel's trial, set to begin June 1.
Stewart took the matter under advisement and says she will issue a ruling, but does not know when.
According to Indiana Trial rules, a defendant's criminal record except in rare circumstances in which the prosecution can prove a pattern or connection to the case at hand, involving issues such as motive, intent or planning.
Adams says he wants to introduce such evidence against Messel saying Messel's extensive 25 year criminal history which includes violence against women are the basis for a habitual criminal charge.
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