***MEDIA ADVISORY***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 8, 2014

GRAND JURY TO REVIEW POLICE ACTION SHOOTING

Media Contact: Curtis T. Hill, Jr. (574) 296-1888

Elkhart County Prosecuting Attorney, Curtis T. Hill, Jr. advised today that an Elkhart Circuit Court Grand Jury will be convened to examine the police action shooting death of Christopher Ryckeart which occurred on November 10, 2013.

On the night of the incident, Christopher Ryckeart was reportedly involved in a police pursuit with members of the Elkhart Police Department. Officers used lethal force which resulted in Ryckeart’s death. The Indiana State Police handled the subsequent investigation and in mid-December 2013, turned it over to the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for review.

The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney often convenes a grand jury to review police action shootings. The prosecuting attorney will present evidence gathered in the investigation to the grand jury for their consideration. After deliberation the grand jury will recommend what, if any, further action should be taken in the matter under review. All grand jury proceedings are confidential. A grand jury is scheduled to be convened in the Elkhart Circuit Court on January 27, 2014.

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“Under Indiana law, all persons arrested for a criminal offense are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”