Elkhart murder suspect has trial delayed to October

An Elkhart man accused of murdering 18-year-old Devonte Patrick in December 2013 will have his trial now on October 2.

20-year-old Antonio Walters had been scheduled to go to trial in August, but the Elkhart Truth reports his lawyer asked for more time to speak to 22-year-old Thomas Harper, who already pleaded guilty for his role in the murder of Patrick. The Elkhart County Prosecutor’s office also wants to talk to Harper.

Harper is serving a 60-year sentence for the murder in Miami Correctional Facility. He was convicted of murder in September 2015 and was also convicted of burglary at the same time, but that 50-year sentence is running at the same time as the murder.

Walters fled the area and wasn’t found until September 2016, when he was spotted in the Minneapolis, Minn. area.

Court documents say Walters and Harper shot Patrick as he was trying to drive away from an attempted marijuana robbery.