McCowan fails in first bid to overturn murder conviction

VALPARAISO | Dustin McCowan has failed in his first shot at overturning his 60-year sentence and conviction for murdering former girlfriend Amanda Bach.

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.

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.

Dustin McCowan sentenced to 60 years in murder of Amanda Bach

Elliott McCowan greets friends and supporters March 28 outside the Porter County Courthouse in Valparaiso following the sentencing of his son Dustin McCowan.

Dustin McCowan sentenced to 60 years in murder of Amanda Bach

Elliott McCowan greets friends and supporters Thursday afternoon outside the Porter County Courthouse in Valparaiso following the sentencing of his son, Dustin McCowan, to 60 years in prison for the September 2011 murder of Amanda Bach.

Dustin McCowan sentenced to 60 years in murder of Amanda Bach

Sonya Cespedes, of Park Ridge, Ill., holds a photograph of her niece, Amanda Bach, Thursday as she leaves the Porter County Courthouse with Amanda's parents, Bill and Sandy Bach. Dustin McCowan was sentenced Thursday to 60 years in prison for the September 2011 murder of Amanda Bach.

Dustin McCowan sentenced to 60 years in murder of Amanda Bach

Nancy Steele, of Portage, a friend and neighbor of the Bach family holds up 6 fingers while chanting, "60" as she leaves the Porter County Courthouse Thursday afternoon following Judge William Alexa's sentence of 60 years in prison for Dustin McCowan for the September 2011 murder of Amanda B…

Dustin McCowan sentenced to 60 years in murder of Amanda Bach

Nancy Steele, of Portage, a friend and neighbor of the Bach family, holds thumbs up as she leaves the Porter County Courthouse Thursday afternoon following Judge William Alexa's sentence of 60 years in prison for Dustin McCowan in the September 2011 murder of Amanda Bach. With Steele is her …

Dustin McCowan

Dustin McCowan leaves the Porter County Courthouse on March 28 following his sentencing in the September 2011 murder of Amanda Bach. Judge William Alexa sentenced McCowan to 60 years in prison.

Dustin McCowan sentenced to 60 years in murder of Amanda Bach

Dustin McCowan is led from the Porter County Courthouse Thursday afternoon after being sentenced to 60 years for the murder of Amanda Bach in September 2011.

Dustin McCowan sentenced to 60 years in murder of Amanda Bach

Dustin McCowan is led out of the Porter County Courthouse Thursday afternoon following his sentencing. Judge William Alexa sentenced McCowan to 60 years in prison for the September 2011 murder of Amanda Bach.

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.

McCowan's lawyer to sit in interview

VALPARAISO | Attorneys for convicted murderer Dustin McCowan have taken the unusual step of securing the right to attend a court-ordered interview with McCowan to be used when he is sentenced March 28.

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

Dustin McCowan is escorted from the Porter County Courthouse on Feb. 26 night after being found guilty of the murder of Amanda Bach.

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.