Judge won’t move murder trial

• Judge Dean Young has denied a motion to move Charles Whittington’s murder trial to another county.
• Whittington, 59, is accused of fatally shooting Shane and Katelyn Williamson on Feb. 5.
• The judge also ordered reports from mental health professionals to be sealed from public view.

HARTFORD CITY – The accused killer of a Hartford City father and daughter will stand trial in Blackford County.

Blackford Circuit Court Judge Dean Young has officially denied a motion on behalf of Charles R. “Mad Dog” Whittington to move the trial — now set for Nov. 2 — out of Blackford County.

In that motion, Whittington’s public defender, Chris Teagle, suggested as a result of pre-trial publicity and online commentary, potential jurors from Blackford County would have “preconceived notions” about his client.

At a Monday hearing, Young said he would rule on the issue this week, adding at that time that he was “inclined to deny” the request.

Whittington, 59, is accused of fatally shooting Shane Williamson, 40, and Katelyn Williamson, 14, on Feb. 5 at the near-downtown apartment building where they lived.

Also this week, Young agreed to seal a written report from a Muncie psychologist who examined Whittington, and any report received from an Anderson psychiatrist appointed to the case.

Teagle and Blackford County Prosecutor Kevin Basey said the reports were likely to contain private medical information.

Teagle has indicted he might pursue an insanity defense for Whittington.

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