Published: June 18, 2009 09:43 pm      

Doran case gets special prosecutor

Monroe County attorney yet to make a decision

The decision on whether charges will be filed against Kokomo attorney Stephanie Doran rests in the hands of a former Monroe County prosecutor.

Barry Brown, a special prosecutor who lives in Bloomington, confirmed Thursday he has the Doran case file, and said he plans to review it in the next week.

Brown was contacted to handle the case by Howard County Prosecutor Jim Fleming, due to the fact Doran is a deputy Howard County public defender.

Howard County sheriff investigators began building a case against Doran after a May 12 traffic incident on Dixon Road.

Tom Trine, owner of The Windmill Grill restaurant and a local farmer, told deputies a black SUV smashed into the back of the tractor he was driving just after 11 p.m. that evening.

Deputies said the impact from the accident left Trine with a banged-up knee and destroyed the corn planter attached to the rear of his tractor.

Trine told deputies the driver of the SUV briefly stopped after the accident, but then left before police could arrive.

Deputies later used a search warrant to locate the SUV they claim was involved in the accident.

The damaged, black 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee was located in the garage of Doran’s home about three hours after the accident, Howard County Sheriff Marty Talbert said.

Talbert said sheriff investigators have requested “at least one” charge be filed against Doran, who has not been arrested and continues to represent clients.

Fleming said he received the sheriff report June 1 and immediately said he would seek a special prosecutor to take the case.

“Most of the surrounding counties have had dealings with Stephanie, so I’ll have to go a little further away,” Fleming said at the time.

Thursday, Brown said Doran is being represented in the case by Indianapolis attorney James Voyles.

Brown said he probably won’t have a decision on any possible charges for at least two weeks.

Scott Smith is a Kokomo Tribune staff writer. He may be reached at (765) 454-8569 or via e-mail at scott.smith@kokomotribune.com