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Last updated on Wednesday, March 28, 2018
(BEDFORD) - Joseph “Joey” Backenstoe has been charged with the murder of Travis Craig.
Jury selection began Tuesday morning in Lawrence County Superior Court II against Backenstoe on a Level 4 felony charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon. Judge William Sleva is preceding.
Backenstoe was arrested on that charge after the shooting incident on October 6, 2017 that left 38-year-old Travis Lee Craig dead.
On Tuesday, Backenstoes was then charged with the murder of Craig.
On the day of the murder, at 11:37 a.m., Lawrence County Sheriff Central Dispatch received a 911 call at 11:37 a.m. from Backenstoe reporting he "just heard shots fired" and "a man's down outside my yard."
When police arrived at the home at 5951 State Road 158 they found Craig in his yard not breathing. Backenstoe was living with Craig at the time of the shooting. Only three people were home at the time of the shooting - Craig, Craig's wife Debbie and Backenstoes.
Officers from Lawrence County, first responders from Indian Creek Volunteer Fire Department and an IU Health Hospital ambulance crew rushed to the scene.
Sheriff Mike Branham says Craig died from multiple gunshot wounds to his chest and head. Lawrence County Coroner Rob Herr ruled the death a homicide.
"During the course of the investigation, detectives determined that a person of interest, Joseph "Joey" Backenstoes, had committed the unrelated offense of possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, a Level 4 felony," Sheriff Branham said at the time of the shooting. "Detectives also received an anonymous tip that Backenstoes was going to Walmart and was leaving the state."
Knowing that Walmart is a bus stop, officers were on their way to Walmart when they saw Backenstoes walking along John Williams Boulevard toward Walmart. Backenstoes was arrested without incident and taken to the Lawrence County Jail where he as been held since the murder on a then $50,000 bond.
"Working closely with the Lawrence County Prosecutor's office and Indiana State Police crime scene technicians, detective from the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office have put in countless hours investigating, interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence over the course of the weeks and months since the murder," Sheriff Branham says. "As with any pending case, if the public has any information that maybe helpful they are asked to contact the Sheriff's Office at (812) 273-3316 or leave the information on our Tip Line at (812) 277-2020. Tips may remain anonymous."
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