NEWS

Accused killer wants second attorney

Douglas Walker
dwalker@muncie.gannett.com
  • Charles “Mad Dog” Whittington has asked for a second attorney to represent him in a murder case.
  • The 59-year-old defendant is accused of killing a Hartford City man and his teen daughter on Feb. 5.
  • Judge Dean Young received Whittington’s letter last week, and on Monday denied the request.
  • The Portland man’s murder trial is set for July 28.

HARTFORD CITY – Charles R. “Mad Dog” Whittington wrote the judge presiding over his murder case last week with a suggestion.

The 59-year-old Portland resident — accused of fatally shooting a Hartford City man and his 14-year-old daughter on Feb. 5 — would like a second public defender assigned to represent him.

Muncie attorney Chris Teagle was appointed as Whittington’s public defender at a Feb. 9 initial hearing.

“My court-appointed lawyer, Mr. Teagle, is very busy,” Whittington wrote in a letter received by Blackford Circuit Court Judge Dean Young last Friday. “I’ve only spoke to him briefly at my appearance in court Monday, Feb. 9.

“I have many concerns and things that need to be done. If I had co-counsel, it would greatly help things along.”

On Monday, the judge formally denied Whittington’s request, and ordered copies of his hand-written letter forwarded to Teagle and Blackford County Prosecutor Kevin Basey.

Whittington — being held in the Blackford County jail without bond — is set to stand trial July 28 on two murder charges.

Authorities found the body of Shane Paul Williamson, 40, in a parking lot at Hartford Square Apartments, 220 E. Chestnut St., about 9:15 a.m. on Feb. 5. He was the victim of multiple gunshot wounds.

The body of his daughter, Katelin, who had been shot once in the head, was found a short time later in their apartment.

Whittington was taken into custody later that day at his Portland home.

Investigators have not commented on a possible motive for the slayings, or any link between Whittington and his alleged victims.

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