INDIANAPOLIS — A special prosecutor and change of venue is being requested in the case of an alleged racial incident at Lake Monroe earlier this month, Call 6 Investigates has learned.
Sean Purdy and Jerry Cox are both facing multiple charges in connection with the incident involving Vauhxx Booker on July 4.
Sources tell Call 6 Investigates that Purdy's lawyer plans to request both a change of venue and a special prosecutor for the case.
A report from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, obtained by the Associated Press, shed light on what happened during the alleged racial incident at Lake Monroe earlier this month.
Booker, a local civil rights activist and member of the Monroe County Human Rights Commission, said five white men pinned him against a tree, shouted racial slurs and one of them threatened to “get a noose” during the incident over Independence Day weekend.
DNR responded to the scene on the day of the alleged assault.
Investigators “determined there was evidence of multiple crimes” after conducting more than a dozen interviews with witnesses and those involved in the physical altercation. Video footage from cellphones was also gathered and reviewed, according to the report.
Both Purdy and Cox have been charged by the Monroe County Prosecutor in connection with the case.
Purdy faces the following charges:
- 35-42-3-3(a)/F5: Criminal Confinement with bodily injury
- 35-42-2-1(c)(1)/F6: Battery Resulting in Moderate Bodily Injury
- 35-45-2-1(a)(4)/F6: Intimidation
Cox faces the following charges:
- 35-42-3-3(a)/F5: Criminal Confinement with bodily injury
- 35-42-2-1(c)(1)/F6: Battery Resulting in Moderate Bodily Injury
- 35-45-2-1(a)(4)/MA: Intimidation
- 35-42-2-1(c)(1)/MB: Battery
- 35-42-2-1(c)(1)/MB: Battery
Booker was named as a potential victim in the case file, as well as a suspect on charges of battery and criminal trespassing against Purdy and Cox. The Monroe County Prosecutor declined to file charges against Booker.
