Murder charge filed in death of Indiana trooper

Master Trooper James R. Bailey

A prosecutor filed a murder charge Thursday and requested a sentence of life without parole against a man accused of driving his car over an Indiana state trooper in northeastern Indiana.

DeKalb County Prosecutor Neal Blythe also filed two counts of resisting law enforcement and one count of operating with a controlled substance resulting in death against Terry Sands II, 42, of Marion in connection with the March 3 death of Indiana State Police Master Trooper James Bailey, 50, of Auburn.

A hospital blood draw from Sands showed the presence of marijuana, a probable cause affidavit said.

Sands was fleeing police in his car when it struck Bailey, the affidavit said.

DeKalb Superior Court Judge Adam Squiller entered a preliminary plea of not guilty on Sands’ behalf and ordered Sands to be held without bond.

Sands said he intends to hire an attorney to represent him in the case.

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Bailey’s funeral will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Garrett High School with burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery in Garrett. Visitation will be held 2-8 p.m. Friday at County Line Church of God in Auburn.

Gov. Eric Holcomb has directed flags to be flown at half-staff in the state on Saturday.