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Judge Enters Not Guilty Plea For Jasmine Picket, Who Remains Free On Bond

Last updated on Wednesday, February 10, 2016

(BEDFORD) - Jasmine Pickett appeared in Lawrence County Superior Court I this morning to face charges in connection with the murder of 29-year-old Kami Ratcliff.

Ratcliff, of Mitchell, was reported missing in January.

Police say Jasmine and her husband, Lincoln Pickett, were the last to see Ratcliff.

On January 28, Indiana State Police found a body in a bon fire at the couple's home at 3413 U.S. 50 West while serving a search warrant looking for evidence linked to Ratcliff's disappearance.

The body was taken for further medical review and it could take months for the results of DNA testing to positively identify the victim believed to be Ratcliff.

Jasmine is facing charges of aiding, inducing or causing abuse of a corpse, obstruction of justice, false informing and failure to report a dead body. 30-year-old Jasmine Picket posted a $755 cash bond on January 31 and was released from jail.

Judge Michael Robbins entered a not guilty plea in her behalf. He also granted Jasmine a public defender and ordered that she could remain out on bond. She is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on March 30.

Lincoln, 34, admitted to police that he placed Ratcliff's body in the fire but originally denied that he had anything to do with her death. He has since been charged with her murder.

The couple told police at that time that Ratcliff had "freaked out" in the couple's vehicle and shot herself.

Since then Lincoln's sister informed police that he had admitted to shooting "a buddy in the face" after Ratcliff began hitting Lincoln in the head. She told police she had not seen Lincoln for about six months, when suddenly he appeared at her home the morning of January 22. She told police he was driving his red Chevrolet Blazer.

"Lincoln claimed he had not slept or ate in two weeks, and he was pacing and bouncing," according to the probable cause affidavit.

She told police Lincoln had a "Taurus gun in his pocket." Lincoln then allegedly gave the gun to his sister.

Lincoln then asked his relative to borrow a vehicle. That is when the two drove to Lincoln's house. On the way they they stopped at a gas station. While parked in the lot, Lincoln's sister told police that she saw blood splattered on the driver's side rear window of the Blazer.

Once at the Pickett home, Lincoln allegedly backed the Blazer into the garage.

According to the probable cause affidavit, on January 24, Mitchell Police Officer Matt England went to the Pickett home to talk to them about Ratcliff's disappearance. Lincoln told police Ratcliff could be in Ellettsville with a man named Dillon.

Then on January 25, Officer England returned to the Pickett home and the couple told him they had left to go to Walmart to buy diapers and formula and when they returned Ratcliff was gone.

On January 28, police returned to the home with a warrant to search for Ratcliff's belongings. When officers arrived there was a fire burning behind the home. "Within the fire, officers located what appeared to be bones," the affidavit states.

According to the Lawrence County Police log, at 2:42 p.m. officers requested Huron Volunteer Fire Department to the Pickett home to extinguish a small bon fire.

Officers then secured a search warrant for Pickett's home. Inside they found a loaded handgun under a mattress and three long guns.

Pickett is being charged with Ratcliff's murder, unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent offender; obstruction of justice, abuse of a corpse, two counts of false informing and failure to report a dead body.

Because of the additional charge of murder, Lincoln Pickett is being held without bond.

He appeared before Judge Robbins on February 5 by video conference. At that time Judge Robbins entered a plea of not guilty and appointed him a public defender. Public Defenders Jim Spangler and Daniel Dixon has since filed a motion for protective order prohibiting the parties, counsel, law enforcement officer and court personnel from disseminating information or releasing any extra-judicial statements by means of Public Communication. Judge Robbins granted the motion.

Lincoln will appear in court for a pretrial hearing on March 23.

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