Murder trial of Elkhart man in ex-Goshen city councilman beating death begins

Cody Garman (Photo supplied/Elkhart County Jail)

The trial of a man accused of beating a former Goshen City Council member to death has begun.

23-year-old Cody Garman has been charged with a count of murder in the May 2017 death of David Swartley.

A Goshen resident discovered Swartley unresponsive in the back of a vehicle on May 25. He was naked and unconscious at the time and had severe trauma to his head and face. He later died of his injuries.

Garman was later identified as a suspect after it was revealed he met Swartley under the pretense of having a “casual encounter.” Instead, Garman allegedly assaulted Swartley and left him in the vehicle before speeding away.