Murder court case comes to Pacers' basketball court

A murder case is coming to the house of the Indiana Pacers.

The Indiana Court of Appeals announced it will hear arguments in an appeal of a murder conviction on the main court at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Monday, Sept. 11. It's the biggest venue to ever host the court's Appeals on Wheels program that brings hearings to unexpected locales across the state.

"We hope that seeing the case live in such a big, impressive venue will make the experience all the more memorable and impactful (for attendees)," said Anne Fuchs, spokesperson for the court. They've invited local high schools, colleges and lawyers but the general public can also attend with an RSVP.

Jackson v. State: the case being heard by the Indiana Court of Appeals at Gainbridge

Tyreontay Jackson is alleged to have played a role in a drive-by shooting that killed 17-year-old Freddie Hegwood in a Brownsburg neighborhood in December 2020. He was convicted by a jury of murder and attempted murder, but he’s disputing the convictions by arguing there wasn’t enough evidence to back the charges.

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Also at issue is Hendricks County prosecutors’ decision to present rap lyrics and text messages by co-defendants during Jackon’s trial. He tried unsuccessfully to get a judge in the case to keep those out of court, arguing they were hearsay.

Prosecutors say the shooting Jackson was involved in happened because of a dispute between two gangs.

What is 'Appeals on Wheels'?

Appeals on Wheels has brought more than 650 oral arguments to high school auditoriums, retirement homes and other sites across Indiana since 2000. Fuchs said the program tries to feature cases "that could be of educational importance or interest to an audience."

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“It provides our citizens with a unique, first-row seat at how the judiciary resolves real-world disputes based on the rule of law,” Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush wrote about the program when nominating it for a national award. “And it allows Hoosiers of all ages an opportunity to meet with leaders of their judicial branch.”

Fuchs said Danny Lopez, the Pacers' vice president of external affairs and corporate communications, asked the appeals court to bring their program to the team's home stadium.

The argument will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Anyone interested in attending should send an email to RSVP@courts.in.gov by Aug. 28. Space is limited.

Call IndyStar courts reporter Johnny Magdaleno at 317-273-3188 or email him at jmagdaleno@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @IndyStarJohnny

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Jackson v State: A murder court case is coming to Gainbridge Fieldhouse