Muncie man sentenced to 112 years for murder, obstruction convictions

MUNCIE, Ind. — A Muncie man convicted of murder was sentenced Friday to 112 years in prison.

A Delaware Circuit Court 3 jury on Dec. 8 found 31-year-old Brandon C. Hodge guilty of that charge, along with conspiracy to commit murder and obstruction of justice.

On Feb. 28, 2021, Hodge fatally shot Robert Eugene "Trey" Scott III, near the victim's westside home.

During the trial, prosecutors Zach Craig and Maricel Driscoll told jurors Hodge shot Scott three times with a 12-gauge shotgun, with the last blast striking the victim in the back.

Defense attorney John Quirk maintained his client fired the shotgun because he believed Scott was armed with a firearm and intended to kill him.

In a post-conviction proceeding, the jury also found Hodge was eligible to receive a sentence enhancement over his use of a firearm.

Hodge was sentenced Friday by Judge Doug Mawhorr.

The judge imposed a 60-year sentence for the murder conviction, 35 years for the conspiracy count, two years for obstruction of justice and 15 years as the firearm penalty.

Hodge received credit for 1,041 days already spent in the Delaware County jail.

In his sentencing order, Mawhorr indicated evidence in the case reflected Hodge "fancied himself a hitman."

He also said Hodge had "demonstrated an extreme indifference for human life."

In May, Hodge's co-defendant, 29-year-old Morgan Bell, was found guilty of aiding, inducing or causing murder, and obstruction of justice. Bell — who was the shooting victim's former girlfriend — later received a 57-year sentence.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter for The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Muncie man gets 112 years for murder, obstruction convictions