Portland man gets 30 years for killing his father
PORTLAND, Ind. — A Portland man on Friday was sentenced to 30 years in prison for killing his father.
Jeremy W. Kelly, 51, had been charged with murder and robbery resulting in serious bodily injury in the February 2022 slaying of 71-year-old Gary W. Kelly.
In June, however, the younger Kelly struck a deal with Jay County prosecutors and pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, a Level 2 felony.
The 30-year sentence imposed Friday by Judge Brian Hutchison was the maximum for that crime.
The victim died of "multiple blunt force injuries" suffered during a struggle in his home along South Vine Street.
Witnesses said the men had a heated argument the night before Gary Kelly died. When Jeremy Kelly was arrested in Wayne County, he had his father's wallet and credit cards, along with two firearms.
On May 30, Kelly pleaded guilty to two charges — unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, a Level 4 felony carrying up to 12 years in prison, and criminal mischief, a misdemeanor — in Wayne Circuit Court.
At Friday's sentencing hearing, Judge Hutchison ruled any prison term Kelly receives in Wayne County will be served consecutively to his 30-year sentence.
Jeremy Kelly's record included convictions for battery against a public safety officer, battery resulting in serious bodily injury, battery with a deadly weapon, criminal confinement and intimidation.
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: Portland man sentenced to 30 years for killing his father
