Prosecutor seeks death penalty against suspect in deputy’s killing
LEBANON, Ind. (WISH) – The Boone County prosecutor said he is seeking the death penalty for the man charged with shooting and killing Deputy Jacob Pickett in March.
Prosecutor Todd Meyer said Tuesday he also expects to file more charges in the case against other suspects.
“The way Anthony Baumgardt has responded and reacted to this situation is very troubling and disturbing and I think that weighed significantly on my decision making,” Meyer said.
Baumgardt asked a judge in March if it would “make any difference” if he sought the death penalty for himself. The county sheriff said, on his way into court, he heard Baumgardt say he had “no remorse.”
Meyer said he was sickened to see a picture online of Baumgardt posing and smiling in jail.
The prosecutor said Pickett’s family supports his decision.
“As you can well imagine, the family remains numb,” Meyer said.
Police said they were serving a warrant March 2 in Lebanon and Baumgardt shot and killed Pickett during a chase. Officers also arrested two other people.
Meyer said he expects to file additional charges against suspects who are already in custody, but he did not say who will face charges or if they are suspects arrested the day of the shooting.
“It’s like doing a 10,000-piece jigsaw puzzle and we’ve got 95 percent complete,” Meyer said. “We just need a few more pieces to confirm it.”
Investigators said they expect to find the missing pieces within the next few weeks.
The prosecutor’s team has issued dozens of subpoenas for phone records and messages. Meyer said his team is working a drug-dealing investigation connected to the case.
“In the state of Indiana, when you’re charged with certain felony crimes that resulted in murder, you yourself could be charged with felony murder,” Meyer said. “So those would be the principle charges.”
If a jury convicts Baumgardt and recommends the death penalty, the judge is required to give him a death sentence, Meyer said. If they make no recommendation, the judge would step in and decide.
The death penalty request will postpone Baumgardt’s July trial date. He will appear in court Friday for a hearing on the request. The sheriff said he plans to attend the hearing with Pickett’s police dog, Brik.