INDIANAPOLIS — The trial begins this week for a man accused of killing the mother of his son outside a daycare in 2022 and a Marion County Deputy a year later.
Orlando Mitchell is currently standing trial for the murder of Krystal Walton, the mother of his then-1-year-old son, who was shot outside a daycare in Indianapolis on September 16, 2022.
This trial comes as Mitchell faces further serious accusations, including the killing of a Marion County Sheriff's Office deputy while in custody.
Mitchell is charged with multiple offenses in connection with Walton's death, including murder, invasion of privacy, unlawful possession of a firearm, and criminal recklessness. Investigators allege that he shot Walton multiple times, after making various threats, despite a protective order being in place at the time of the incident.
WATCH | Family remembers Krystal Walton 1 year after she was killed
Following the shooting, police confronted Mitchell that same morning as he was reportedly armed with a rifle. Authorities stated that he refused commands to drop the weapon and pointed it at officers, prompting police to fire and wound Mitchell before taking him into custody.
"Krystal tried every step to get away from her abuser, from protection orders to trying to reach out to organizations to having safety plans and the family knowing what was going on, she took every precaution that she could, and we're still here today for her," Danyette Smith, Director of Domestic Violence Prevention with Indy Public Safety Foundation, said.
On Monday, attorneys presented opening statements and called their first witnesses, three daycare workers, and a business owner across the street.
Vincent Medina said he was in his business tying his shoes when he heard an argument. A woman said, "Leave me alone." Next, he heard gunshots.
When he looked up, Krystal was on the ground. He said he saw the suspect walk past him to get in a car he described to police.
Shy'A White cried as she told the jury about that day. She and another teacher rushed the children to a room away from the window. She then saw a co-worker screaming over Krystal’s body.
White told the court she is in counseling now, still trying to forget.
Danyette has spent many days with Krystal’s family and those daycare workers.
"It was like having a band-aid on and you just rip that band-aid right off. You have to relive and be re-traumatized, sharing that story and telling what happened that day," Smith said.
Danyette survived domestic violence. She says as tragic as it is Krystal’s story has been saving lives.
"It was eye-opening. They did not want to be Krystal. They did not want their loved ones and their children to have to experience what Krystal's family still is experiencing today. So, a lot of people did reach out to organizations like ours,” Smith said.
While awaiting trial for the murder of Krystal, Mitchell is accused of killing Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy John Durm. In July 2023, he allegedly strangled Deputy Durm as they returned to the Criminal Justice Center from a medical appointment.
In the incident that was caught on video, Mitchell then used Durm's keys to take off his handcuffs and take off in the van. He later crashed and was apprehended.
Mitchell faces charges of murder, robbery, and escape related to the case involving Durm. He is scheduled to appear in court for a pretrial conference in March. Prosecutors have indicated their intention to pursue the death penalty.
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