Man found guilty of trying to kill officer

MUNCIE -- A Muncie man faces the likelihood of many years in prison after being found guilty of trying to kill a city police officer.

Delaware Circuit Court 4 Judge John Feick on Thursday found Bryan William Modglin, 34, guilty of attempted murder in a September 2013 attack on officer Shane Finnegan.

Modglin --- who was shot twice in the chest by Finnegan as he choked the police officer -- was also found guilty of battery resulting in serious bodily injury over allegations he severely beat a reserve officer, Richard Little, before Finnegan arrived at the scene.

The attacks took place outside an East 28th Street home. The officers had been called to a report of a fracas at a nearby tavern. Feick -- who presided over a three-day bench trial this week -- also found Modglin guilty of two battery charges stemming from the bar fight.

The attempted murder conviction carries a standard 30-year prison term, while the battery-resulting-in-serious-bodily-injury count is a Class C felony, with a standard four-year sentence.

The other battery convictions carry maximum sentences of three years and one year, respectively.

Modglin -- who on Wednesday acknowledged he had been convicted of burglary seven times -- was also found guilty of being a habitual offender. That finding could add up to 30 years to the prison term Feick imposes at a sentencing hearing set for Oct. 28.

Finnegan testified Monday he was "in fear for my life" while being choked by Modglin. Little suffered serious facial injuries in the attack.

On Wednesday, Modglin and his attorney, Steven Bruce, acknowledged he had attacked Little and fought with Finnegan.

But Modglin denied he choked Finnegan, or had intended to kill the officer.

Prosecutor Jeffrey Arnold and his chief trial deputy, Eric Hoffman, presented the state's case.

"Jeff and I are certainly pleased with the verdicts," Hoffman said Thursday. "The prosecutor's office will not tolerate violent attacks on police officers. Should you choose to attack a police officer, you will be held accountable."

Contact news reporter Douglas Walker at (765) 213-5851. You can also follow him on Twitter @DouglasWalkerSP.