INDIANAPOLIS -- Today the Indiana Court of Appeals heard oral argument in the case of Paul Gingerich v. State of Indiana.  The State contends Gingerich’s appeal should be dismissed and that his earlier guilty plea to an adult charge of conspiracy to commit murder should remain intact. Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller’s office represents the prosecution on appeal, and today Zoeller issued this statement:

"No question that this is a tragic case, most especially for the victim who lost his life due to actions of the defendant. The State's position is that the plea agreement entered by the defendant with the vigorous assistance of two attorneys and his parents should not be disturbed. The trial court and county prosecutor followed Indiana law, and the defendant's rights were not violated. Balancing respect for well-established legal precedent and the safety of the public, we ask the Court of Appeals to leave the guilty plea and corresponding sentence intact,” Zoeller said.

The three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals took the case under advisement and will rule at a later date.

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