JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — State Prosecutor Ric Hertel asked Judge Larry Medlock to give Kasey and Misty Noel new trial dates Monday after seemingly no progress was made to reach a plea deal in the last three weeks.
"We are having some negotiations, but at this point in time, I believe the matters need to be set for trial," Hertel said.
Misty is the estranged wife of former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel, who was sentenced recently to 15 years in prison for stealing millions from the department and his nonprofit EMS business. Kasey is one of their three daughters.
Lawyers for the State and defendants said on Oct. 7 they were working towards a plea deal. Jamey pleaded guilty to 27 felonies and was given a 15-year sentence on Oct. 14. Noel will serve at least nine years in prison, with three years suspended to probation.
The attorneys in Misty and Kasey's cases are now discussing how much weight to give the emotional apology and statements made by Jamey at his sentencing.
"Your honor, we do think that some of the statements that Mr. Noel made are relevant and should be considered. However --in plea negotiations-- I may believe that, but if the state doesn't, we may have an impasse that we have to work around," Bart McMahon said, an attorney for Misty Noel.
In his tear-filled statements on Oct. 14, Jamey said he acted alone in his scheme to steal millions of dollars from New Chapel EMS. Misty and Kasey are accused of reaping the benefits of his schemes, using fire department credit cards with their names on them for personal purchases, and not declaring the income on their taxes.
"It's all my fault. My family had no knowledge of the business I was running," Jamey said right before he was sentenced. "I prepared everyone's taxes on TurboTax without their input."
Misty and Kasey are accused of stealing over $700,000 total from New Chapel EMS. Judge Medlock gave them a new trial date of Feb. 3. Misty's trial will happen first, with Kasey's to follow.
The parties said they will continue plea negotiations in the interim.