(LINTON) – A third suspect has been arrested in connection with the murder of John Chapman.
On March 18th, Linton Police Officers responded to an abandoned residence on 1st Street Southeast, in Linton. Upon arriving, the officers located the body 46-year-old John P. Chapman, of Linton, who had been murdered.
Police arrested 18-year-old Gary Alexander “Alex” Moore, of Linton, on Monday, April 6th.
Two other individuals, 34-year-old Brandon Criss, and 17-year-old Devin Nichols, also of Linton, were previously arrested on March 25th in connection to the murder.
Criss and Nichols are facing charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, obstruction of justice, and false informing.
Criss is also facing a habitual felony offender sentence enhancement.
Criss has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to appear in Greene County Superior Court on May 11th at 2:30 p.m. He is being represented by public defender Joseph Lozano.
No court records were available on Nichols.
Both Nichols and Criss are being held without bond.
Police evidence shows Moore meeting Chapman at a gazebo located in Linton for a drug deal.
Moore told police there was an altercation and he stabbed Chapman one time with a knife.
An autopsy report says Chapman had been stabbed three times. He suffered a stab wound on his back, side, and hand.
Moore is facing charges of aggravated battery when the assault poses a substantial risk of death, battery with a deadly weapon, and obstruction of justice. He is being held on a $25,000 surety bond with 10 percent cash allowed.
Moore has entered a plea of not guilty and is scheduled to appear in Greene County Superior Court on June 1st at 2:30 p.m. for a pretrial conference.
Police say the case remains an active investigation and no additional information is being released at this time.
