Marion County Sheriff's Office deputy fired after mistakenly releasing murder suspect
A detention deputy with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office has been fired after a man charged in an Indianapolis homicide was mistakenly released from jail last week.
Noah Edwards, who is charged with murder and robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, was arrested about 11 hours after he was released from the Adult Detention Center Friday, according to the sheriff’s office.
An internal affairs investigation into Edwards' release is ongoing but Sheriff Kerry Forestal conducted an administrative review Friday, which resulted in the termination of Detention Deputy Elwin Emery, according to the sheriff’s office.
Emery failed to review and verify that he was releasing the correct person from jail, according to a termination letter signed by the sheriff.
A person in the jail with a similar name was supposed to be released instead of Edwards, the sheriff’s office said. Online court records show the other person was charged with possession of a narcotic drug and carrying a handgun without a license.
Noah Edwards is one of three people accused in the killing of Sheridan Tom, 32, on April 18 on the south side of Indianapolis. A probable cause affidavit said Tom was lured to an abandoned home on East Werges Avenue by a woman, Emily Kilgore, then shot in the back. Police in court records said the suspects took $160 from Tom.
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Police in the affidavit said Noah Edwards denied his involvement during interviews with investigators.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit and a task force with the U.S. Marshals Service this month took a 17-year-old into custody in connection with Tom’s death. Authorities have not announced his identity.
Additional details about Edwards’ mistaken release from jail will be released at the conclusion of the internal investigation, according to the sheriff’s office.
Emery could not be reached for comment before publication of this story.
Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jake_Allen19.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Sheriff's office: Deputy fired after mistakenly releasing murder suspect
