From The Times' archive: A second chance at life

The Times spoke with Paula Cooper in July 2012 as the final year of her sentence began.

From The Times' archive: A life and legacy

The Times spoke with the family of Ruth Pelke in August 2012. Pelke was murdered in 1985, and her family says her legacy of love lives on.

Court finds Hammond killer Komyatti at fault in bike crash

INDIANAPOLIS | The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Monday that a Hammond native brutally disfigured in a bike accident, one month after finishing 27 years in prison for his role in the 1983 murder of his father, has only himself to blame.

Hearings for Portage murder suspects continued

VALPARAISO | Status hearings for the two defendants in the murder of Carl Griffith Sr. were continued Monday to dates in June.

Four charged in 2010 Harvey triple slaying

HARVEY | Four men have been charged in connection with a 2010 fatal shooting in Harvey that left a mother and two children dead and a 4-year-old shot multiple times, the Cook County state's attorney's office announced Monday.

Cedar Lake man sentenced to 80 years for killing neighbor

CROWN POINT | A 24-year-old Cedar Lake man was sentenced Friday to 80 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of a neighbor before he set fire to the man's house.

Griffith police to hold press conference on status of murder investigation

GRIFFITH | The Griffith Police Department has announced a press conference for 3 p.m. today to announce updates in their multi-agency investigation into the murder of 76-year-old Mary Austgen.

Reward grows to $10,000 in Austgen slaying

Jeff Austgen gives a statement about the homicide of his mother, Mary Austgen, during a news conference Monday at the Griffith Police Department.

Reward grows to $10,000 in Austgen slaying

Jeff Austgen gives a statement about the homicide of his mother, Mary Austgen, during a news conference Monday at the Griffith Police Department.

Reward grows to $10,000 in Austgen slaying

Flanked by local police and family members of Mary Austgen, Griffith Police Department Detective Lt. Matt Argadine fields questions from reporters Monday about the homicide of Austgen during a news conference.

Portage woman's murder-for-hire trial set for May 6

VALPARAISO | One of two trials stemming from the November shooting death of a Portage man was confirmed Monday for May 6.

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.

Merrillville shooting victim was a "perfect child"

Depree Dalton talks Wednesday about his 14-year-old son, Depree Mims, at his Merrillville home. Mims was shot through the window of his home March 27 as he gathered a blanket to watch a movie with his family.

Merrillville shooting victim was a "perfect child"

Murder victim Depree Mims

Merrillville shooting victim was a "perfect child"

Merrillville police Detective Robert Wiley fields questions from reporters Wednesday about the fatal shooting of 14-year-old Depree Mims. The boy was shot March 27 through a window at his home. The motive of the shooting remains unclear, but investigators have information it was a gang initi…

Merrillville shooting victim was a "perfect child"

Merrillville police Detective Ray Smith fields questions from reporters Wednesday about the fatal shooting of 14-year-old Depree Mims.

Merrillville shooting victim was a "perfect child"

Merrillville police Detective Ray Smith fields questions from reporters Wednesday about the fatal shooting of 14-year-old Depree Mims.

Man charged in Gary slaying

GARY | A 31-year-old man was extradited from California to face charges in the January killing of a Gary man.

Griffith business, owned by woman found dead at casino, a crime scene

Lake County police cars are stationed Friday outside Austgen Properties, 801 E. Main St., while county and Griffith officers comb the business for evidence in the homicide of its owner, Mary Austgen. Austgen, 76, of St. John, was found shot to death in a parking garage at Gary's Majestic Sta…

Griffith business, owned by woman found dead at casino, a crime scene

Lake County police cars work Friday at Austgen Properties, 801 E. Main St., while county and Griffith officers combed the business for evidence in the murder of its owner, Mary Austgen. Austgen, 76, of St. John, was found shot to death in a parking garage at Gary's Majestic Star Casino early…