McCowan seeking to toss out conviction/sentence

VALPARAISO | A public defender brought in to handle the appeal for convicted murderer Dustin McCowan is seeking to toss out the conviction and/or 60-year sentence because Porter Superior Court Judge Bill Alexa did not step aside after learning about a telephone call with McCowan from the jai…

McCowan transferred to begin serving 60-year term for murder

VALPARAISO | Less than three weeks after being sentenced to 60 years for murdering his former girlfriend, Dustin McCowan has been transferred to the Pendleton Correctional Facility to begin serving his time.

No charges will be filed against Elliott McCowan in Bach murder

VALPARAISO | No charges will be filed against Elliott McCowan, the father of convicted murderer Dustin McCowan, in the death of Amanda Bach.

Day of beauty fund-raiser honors Bach, raises awareness

VALPARAISO | Anna McDonald hopes a day of beauty will not only honor the memory of Amanda Bach but also will bring awareness to dating violence and relationship abuse.

Dustin McCowan sentenced to 60 years in murder of Amanda Bach

VALPARAISO | Dustin McCowan smiled with jail guards as he was escorted out of the courtroom Thursday afternoon after being sentenced to a near-maximum of 60 years in prison for the Sept. 16, 2011 murder of his former girlfriend Amanda Bach of Portage.

McCowan murder sentencing Thursday

VALPARAISO | Thirty days after Dustin McCowan was whisked out of the courtroom after being found guilty of murdering former girlfriend Amanda Bach, he will make a return visit Thursday afternoon to face sentencing.

Mom: No winners in McCowan murder conviction

VALPARAISO | Just hours after a jury found Dustin McCowan guilty of murdering her 19-year-old daughter, Sandy Bach told reporters Wednesday morning there are no winners in the case.

Bach family, Porter Co. officials news conference

Porter County law enforcement officials and Amanda Bach's family spoke with the media following Tuesday's conviction of Dustin McCowan in Bach's murder.

Police believe McCowan's father may have helped in cover-up

VALPARAISO | Porter County police confirmed Wednesday morning they are looking into the possibility that the father of convicted murderer Dustin McCowan — Crown Point Police Officer Joseph Elliott McCowan — aided his son in attempting to cover up the crime.

Reactions to guilty verdict in McCowan trial

Attorneys and the family of Amanda Bach responded to the guilty verdict handed down to Dustin McCowan in the her murder.

McCowan guilty of murder in death of Amanda Bach

VALPARAISO | A Porter County jury took six and half hours to find Dustin McCowan guilty of murder late Tuesday night in the Sept. 16, 2011, slaying of his former girlfriend Amanda Bach.

Sandra and Bill Bach, parents of Amanda Bach

Sandra and Bill Bach, parents of Amanda Bach, speak with The Times on Tuesday prior to the closing arguments in the trial of Dustin McCowan.

Supporters of Amanda Bach gather at courthouse

With the verdict in the Dustin McCowan murder trial expected soon, supporters of Amanda Bach and her family gathered at the Porter County Courthouse.

Supporters gather outside courthouse before closing arguments in McCowan trial

Friends of Amanda Bach stand outside the Porter County Courthouse in Valparaiso on Tuesday in support of her and her family during closing arguments in the trial of Dustin McCowan.

Murder trial ending Tuesday

VALPARAISO | After three weeks of evidence and testimony, the jury is expected to begin deliberating Tuesday on the fate of Dustin McCowan -- accused of murdering his former girlfriend Amanda Bach.

Dustin McCowan opts against telling his side of the story

VALPARAISO | The evidence portion of the Dustin McCowan murder trial wrapped up Thursday afternoon with the accused opting against taking the witness stand to tell his side of the story.

Inmate tells jurors McCowan admitted to shooting a girl

VALPARAISO | One of the first witnesses called on behalf of Dustin McCowan told jurors Wednesday that McCowan had sent her a text on the night his former girlfriend Amanda Bach is believed to have been killed saying he was not home.

Cops: Cellphone shows McCowan did not stay home on morning of killing

VALPARAISO | Dustin McCowan claims he was home during the early morning hours of Sept. 16, 2011 -- when it is believed his former girlfriend Amanda Bach was killed.

Defense expert says Bach's body dumped a day later than prosecutors claim

VALPARAISO | A forensic insect specialist countered one of his former instructors Friday when he testified on behalf of the defense that Amanda Bach's body was most likely dumped Sept. 17, 2011, a day later than prosecutors are alleging.

McCowan gun discovered missing day Bach's body recovered

VALPARAISO | The father of Dustin McCowan told jurors Thursday morning he discovered a .38-caliber, five-shot revolver missing from his then-Union Township home on the day his son's former girlfriend was found shot to death fewer than 300 yards from the house.